Cylchgrawn Cymry Llundain The magazine of the London Welsh

Transcription

l
LWCL
Tachwedd/November 2012 • Rhif/Issue 65
Cylchgrawn Cymry Llundain
The magazine of the London Welsh
£2.00
From the
London Welsh Centre
at Grays Inn Road
www.londonwelsh.org
2
LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE
Working together
for spectacular results...
When the London Welsh work
London and braved the elements to
together, the results can be
welcome me to Cardiff.
spectacular.
While we were in Cardiff over the
During a summer that has seen
August Bank Holiday, there was another
cooperation across the spectrum of
fine example of successful collaboration
the Centre’s organisations and
as the Centre teamed up with Cardiff &
activities, we have celebrated
Co to host a gig showcasing some of
fantastic outcomes across the board.
Cardiff’s best new bands.
In some of those successes I was
Through this and other events, we
privileged to play an active part.
look forward to working with Cardiff &
For example, there are few words
Co in support of the Creative Cardiff
that would do justice to the
initiative, as we use the Centre as a
experience of joining members of the
‘Platfform Llundain’ for quality Welsh
Centre’s three male voice choirs to
artistic output of all genres.
sing at the Olympic Closing
A little further afield our Eisteddfod
Alex at the Olympic closing ceremony.
Ceremony.
presence was another example of
Thanks to Mike Wyn-Jones, Keith Warren and Steve McGrath for
teamwork as we partnered up with the London Welsh School to
leading the efforts to secure the prominent role that the choirs took
ensure that the biggest Welsh community outside Wales was
in proceedings and for marshalling the choristers to ensure a fine
properly represented on the Maes.
performance on the night.
In all aspects of our work, Rhian, Iain and the team are reaching
Beyond the performance itself, I will never forget the
out to organisations to offer the chance to work together with
overwhelming positive energy pulsating amongst the volunteers
wonderful results.
backstage as we prepared to go out into the Olympic stadium that
We are opening the Centre and its staff up to new ideas and
night.
opportunities all the time.
If nothing else, that taste of the Olympics has shown me that if
Sadly, as this strategy of cooperation begins to bear fruit, we
we can harness just a few watts of that extraordinary voluntary
were shocked by the news that one of the Centre’s Trustees, and
power at the Centre, I am sure we can inspire very great things
one of the London Welsh community’s brightest stars, Sian Busby,
indeed in our organisation.
has very prematurely passed away.
Less power, more persistence was required to complete the
Sian’s writing will continue to inspire for many years to come,
London Welsh Run. Thanks to the support of so many of the
and as a Trustee, Sian’s commitment – in deeds as well as words – to
constituents of the Centre and the London Welsh community I
making the Centre a thriving cultural hub will not be forgotten.
made it from the London Welsh Centre to the Wales Millennium
We all miss Sian terribly, but will ensure that her work is
Centre in Cardiff in one piece and raised £5,820 for the London
continued.
Welsh Centre Trust, and £2,694 for Headway Cardiff.
As supporters of the Centre, I hope that you have been able to
The grand total
share in the successes of the past few months and have enjoyed
was £8,514 which,
some of the cultural highlights.
LWCLl - The Magazine of the London Welsh
with gift aid, will
There are plenty more on offer, as the team continues to deliver
Published by London Welsh Centre Ltd.
come
in
at
around
a
packed
cultural programme through the autumn and winter. I
157 Grays Inn Road, London WCIX 8UE.
Telephone: 020 7837 3722
£10,600. A special
have to emphasise however, that as a charity we could not achieve
www.cymryllundain.org.uk / www.londonwelsh.org.uk
vote
of
thanks
goes
anything
without you.
EDITORIAL TEAM: Eirlys Bebb, Theo Brueton, Rita Clark,
David Daniel, Gordon Roberts, Bob Trevor and
to the Wales
To thrive and to execute the refurbishment programme that the
Gethin Williams.
Millennium
Centre,
Centre
desperately needs we need your continued support through
DESIGN SUPPORT: Taliesin Communications.
ADVERTISING: Rita Clark. PRINTED BY: Y Lolfa
Brains and De Vere
subscriptions and through the hosting of fundraising concerts.
Editorial contributions may be sent to the address
Village
hotels
for
Please do ensure that you renew your subscription to the Centre
above or, preferably, emailed to [email protected]
Advertisers may also contact Rita Clark
their generous
and encourage friends and family to support us by subscribing and
Views expressed in this publication must not be taken
support, Lynne
coming to events. With your help we will continue to deliver the
as necessarily representing those of the London Welsh
Association.
Walsh for her help
spectacular successes of this summer far into the future.
London Welsh Centre Trust is a Registered Charity. This
with the PR, and to
Alex Meredith, Chairman
statement is given to support any advertisement which
appears in the columns of London Welsh Magazine from
everyone who came
time to time in the name of the Trust and deemed, in
@admeredith
to the ‘send-off’ in
terms of the Act, to be fundraising.
Front cover picture: Alex Meredith is greeted by his wife, Kate, and others on completion of his
London-Cardiff Marathon Run. Photo by Brian Morgan.
Copy from contributors and advertisers is required by January 7 for inclusion in the next issue.
DIGWYDDIADAU/EVENTS LWCLl
3
Eggs-citing year for Eisteddfod winners...
Eschoir at the National Eisteddfod
Eschoir and Côr Merched Cymry Llundain have had a very exciting
year. Both choirs competed at the National Eisteddfod of Wales,
with Eschoir taking third place and Côr Merched Cymry Llundain
taking second place.
The choirs sang new translations of pop and classical pieces,
ranging from mashups of Glee and Adele songs to items by Faure
and Hassler. Just before the Eisteddfod, both choirs joined the
Gwalia Male Choir at a concert in the Borough Welsh Chapel which
raised £1,000 to restore the Chapel’s roof. We are very grateful to
Margaret and Tegid Jones of the Chapel for allowing us to use the
premises as a rehearsal venue and we look forward to singing at the
S4C recording of Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol (Cymanfa Ganu)
at the Chapel on 21 October at 6:30pm, and at the carol service on
16 December at 11am – all are welcome.
Eschoir is currently singing on the mysupermarket.co.uk ITV
advert as 12 Welsh eggs (!), and they have been invited to a famous
palace and a famous politician’s house for corporate events in
December – details to be revealed in the February edition of the
London Welsh magazine!
Both choirs hope to return to Aberystwyth in April 2013 for the
semi-finals of the televised competition ‘Côr Cymru 2013.’
Michael Williams
CF1 coming to the Canolfan
Côr CF1
Bydd y côr adnabyddus o Gaerdydd, Côr CF1, yn
perfformio mewn cyngerdd arbennig yng
Nghanolfan Cymry Llundain ar y 26ain o Ionawr
flwyddyn nesaf.
Mae’r côr wedi cael deng mlynedd hynod
lwyddiannus ers ei ffurfio 2002. Ymhlith yr
uchafbwyntiau mae ennill y categori Ieuenctid yng
nghystadleuaeth Côr Cymru 2005, a chyrraedd
rownd derfynol y categori Corau Oedolion yng
nghystadleuaeth BBC Choir of the Year 2010.
Wedi iddynt ddod yn fuddugol yn Eisteddfod
Genedlaethol Cymru eleni, mae’r côr yn awr yn troi
ei sylw at brosiectau cyffrous, gan gynnwys taith i’r
Eidal a Chyngerdd Mawreddog fel rhan o’u
dathliadau Dengmlwyddiant.
An exciting concert is due to be held at the London Welsh Centre, given
by well-known Cardiff-based choir, Côr CF1 on 26 January.
The choir formed in 2002, and were tremendously successful in those
early years, winning several first prizes at the Urdd National Eisteddfod
and National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Fresh from winning at the 2012 National Eisteddfod of Wales, the choir
are now turning their attention to new projects, a tour to Italy and a
Grand Concert as part of their 10th Anniversary Celebrations.
Côr CF1 will be performing at the London Welsh Centre on Saturday
26 January at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from the Centre, Ysgol
Gymraeg Llundain and Welsh Chapels around London. It will raise funds
towards the Urdd National Eisteddfod for competitors living outside
Wales but who wish to compete in the Eisteddfod, which is being held in
London on the 2nd of March 2013. For more details please contact Leah
Owen-Griffiths at the Eisteddfod Office on 029 2063 5690.
Leah Owen-Griffiths
4
New term - new challenges as Centre shifts up a gear...
Mae tymor newydd y
Ganolfan wedi hen ddechrau
a mae yma tipyn o brysurdeb
a digwyddiadau di-ri.
A hyn wedi Haf prysur
neilltuol i’r Ganolfan. Daeth
dros 400 o ymwelwyr i’n
stondin yn yr Eisteddfod
Genedlaethol, buon ni’n
cefnogi ein Cadeirydd arwrol
wrth iddo gwblhau Carlam Cymry Llundain, cynhaliwyd gig
gwych yng nghanol Caerdydd, darparwyd man ymarfer i
gynhyrchiad y RSC o Matilda am 5 wythnos a chroesawyd tîm
gwrth-gyffuriau’r Gemau Olympaidd oedd yn aros gerllaw ar
nifer o nosweithiau cymdeithasol.
Diolch i’r tîm cyfan am gyfrannu at Haf cofiadwy ac i’r holl
wirfoddolwyr am eu cymorth.
Mae mis Medi bob amser yn fis prysur yn y Ganolfan ac heb
os mae cyflwyno strwythur tanysgrifio newydd wedi gosod her
ychwanegol. Mae’r tîm yma wedi bod wrthi’n ddyfal yn prosesu’r
tanysgrifiadau newydd. Dylech dderbyn eich cerdiau tanysgrifio
newydd yn fuan iawn a gobeithiwn eich bod eisioes yn manteisio
ar y buddion o fod yn danysgrifwyr. Os oes gennych unrhyw
ymholiadau yn ymwneud â thanysgrifiadau neu unrhyw fater
arall, peidiwch ag oedi cysylltu.
Daeth ton o dristwch dros y Ganolfan gyda’r newyddion am
farwolaeth Siân Busby ar ddechrau mis Medi. Cyfranodd Siân yn
helaeth i fywyd y Ganolfan ac roedd yn gefnogol tu hwnt o
ymdrechion y tîm. Mae colled enfawr ar ei hôl.
Mae calendr digwyddiadau’r Ganolfan yn prysur lenwi o dan
arweiniad Iain Richards, ein Swyddog Datblygu Diwylliannol.
Edrychwch ar y dudalen gefn i weld beth sydd ar y gorwel. Baswn
hefyd yn eich annog i edrych ar ein gwefan a chyfryngau megis
Facebook a Twitter am y diweddaraf ar ddigwyddiadau a
gweithgareddau. Dyn ni ddim am i chi golli allan!
Mae diwedd fy mlwyddyn gyntaf yn y Ganolfan yn prysur
agosau. Rwy’n edrych yn ôl yn gadarnhaol ar yr hyn sydd wedi
digwydd dros y deuddeg mis diwethaf. Wrth gwrs mae digon o
bethau yn peri pryder. Yn sicr, mae’r hen adeilad hyfryd yma yn
cyflwyno sawl her i ni. Serch hynny, mae yma resymau i ddathlu
hefyd. Gallwn ni gyd ymfalchio fod y Ganolfan yn symud yn y
cyfeiriad cywir. Mae ein proffil yn codi a mae teimlad o ewyllus
da am yr hyn yr ydym yn ceisio ei gyflawni. Da iawn pawb!
Mwynhewch y rhifyn llawn yma o’r Cylchgrawn a diolch, fel
arfer, i bawb sy’n ei wneud yn bosib.
[email protected]
www.londonwelsh.org
The new term at the London Welsh Centre is well underway and
our autumn calendar is keeping us all on our toes!
This is on the back of an exceptionally busy summer for the
Centre. We welcomed over 400 visitors to our stand at the
National Eisteddfod, supported our heroic Chairman as he
completed the London Welsh Run, organised a fantastic gig in
central Cardiff, provided a rehearsal space for the RSC’s
production of Matilda for 5 weeks and hosted a number of social
evenings for the Olympic anti-doping team which was based
locally during the games.
Thank you to the whole team here for making it a summer to
remember - and also to all the volunteers who helped make it
happen.
September is always a busy month at the Centre and the
introduction of the new subscription structure undoubtedly
posed an extra challenge this year. Our small but dedicated team
has been working diligently to process the new subscriptions. You
should all receive your new cards shortly and we hope you are
already making use of the subscriber benefits. As ever, if you have
any queries on subscriptions or any other matter, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
We were all deeply saddened by the death of Siân Busby in
early September.
Siân made a huge contribution to the Centre and she was
always very supportive of us as a team. She is very sorely missed.
Our events calendar has been filling up at a ferocious pace,
led by our Cultural Development Officer, Iain Richards. Please
take a look at the back page to see what’s coming up at the
Centre over the coming months.
I would also urge you to keep checking our website and other
social media for updates on events and activities. We don’t want
you to miss out on anything!
As I approach the end of my first year at the London Welsh
Centre, I am in a reflective, yet positive mood. There is always
cause for concern, in particular the challenges this wonderful old
building throws at us.
However, in the main there is cause for celebration.
We should all take credit for the fact that the Centre is
moving in the right direction. Our profile is rising and there is a
renewed sense of goodwill towards us and all we are trying to
achieve. Well done everyone!
Enjoy this jam packed edition of the Magazine and thank you
as always to all who make it happen.
Rhian Jones, Chief Executive
@LondonWelshCCLL
Welsh evening classes @LWC. Register now! / Dosbarthiadau nos Cymraeg yn CCLl. Cofrestrwch nawr!
www.londonwelsh.org
O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl
5
When most of us do the trip from
London to Cardiff, we take the easy
options: a pretty straightforward
drive, or even better, a hop onto the
train at Paddington and off again
two hours’ later.
We might even have a coffee or
two [other beverages are available].
Not so, our chairman. Alex
Meredith, aged 32, husband,
father-to-be, solicitor and chorister.
A couple of months’ ago, he told us:
“I’ve had an idea…”
An idea which turned him into
the Man Who Ran - for four days, at
two marathons a day. In fact, he
spent almost his entire August Bank Holiday running. He raised a lot
of cash, he raised the profile of two charities, and he raised hopes
that slightly barmy ideas can work.
We asked Alex about the highs and lows.
“I struggled most on the first day. I’d made a few mistakes in my
nutrition and was vomiting by mile 17. At that point I feared the
worst. I managed to keep moving to complete the first 25 miles to
get food and I read the tweets and messages of support coming
through on my mobile. I became genuinely quite emotional - I’m
not sure Subway in Slough had ever seen anything quite like it! I
came out in the afternoon a new man and never looked back.
“There were highlights every day - the choristers turning out for
a London Welsh send-off in Reading, impromptu fundraising at a
pub in Hawkesbury Upton, and of course running down David Lloyd
George Avenue and arriving at the Wales Millennium Centre to a
red carpet and a rapturous welcome. The luxurious hotel provided
by De Vere Village Hotels in Swindon and the most refreshing pint
I’ve ever had supplied by Brains at the finish line were other
highlights.
“The most important moment came at the end of Day Two. I
reached the crest of the last climb in the 16-mile section over the
Wiltshire hills before dropping into Swindon. I knew then that I was
over 85 miles to the good, had conquered the canals and hills and
was still in reasonable shape. At that point I started to believe I
could make it to Cardiff.”
And not only did he make it, but with perfect timing. At a
minute to 5pm, the bedraggled band of supporters at Cardiff Bay
heard the cry, “Here they come!” Genuine excitement kicked in and
we whooped like American cheerleaders, as Alex led a very wet
group of friends, including LWC chief executive Rhian Jones, through
the monsoon to the Finish Line banner and red carpet.
Amongst those congratulating him on his epic journey was
rugby legend JPR Williams, who joined runners and supporters for an
informal reception in the WMC.
Photo: Brian Morgan
‘Hang on lads, I’ve got a great idea...’
Cardiff Job pays off, and it’s completely legal!
London Welsh Charity Run
Back in London and reflecting on the experience, Alex told us:
“I wouldn’t have made it without the support of my wife Kate - she
was my nurse, counsellor and organisational miracle-worker for the
journey.
“Thanks to incredibly generous supporters, I’ve raised more than
£10,000 for Headway and the London Welsh Centre Trust. And
people who’d never run long distances before came out and did 15,
25, and in one case, 45 miles - great personal achievements.
“By running this route I hope we have started a relationship
between the London Welsh Centre and the Wales Millennium
Centre. Our vision is that our refurbished Centre will one day
emulate the quality and professionalism of the WMC. Like the run,
that journey will be made up of many small steps but with the funds
raised this weekend, we’ll now be able to put our best foot forward.”
And so say all of us - now put your feet up, Alex…
There are more pictures and videos of the run on the website:
www.londonwelshrun.com
Lynne Walsh
Cardiff & Co, the ofﬁcial inward investment and destination
marketing organisation for Cardiff and its city region, has unveiled the
London Welsh Centre as Gold Corporate Champion. We feature
amongst some of the most prominent and prestigious names in
Wales. This is a landmark achievement for the Centre and we very
much look forward to working with representatives at Cardiff & Co to
explore some very exciting opportunities over the coming months.
www.whycardiff.com
6
LWCLl CORAU/CHOIRS
Did you see the Olympics Closing Ceremony?
If you managed to sit through the marathon
spectacle shown on TV, you will have seen
members of the London Welsh Male Voice
and the Rugby choirs singing the Olympic
Anthem at the end of the show.
With an audience of 23 million in the UK
and an estimated over 700 million worldwide
this certainly was the Choir’s biggest ever
following, and has resulted in many messages
of congratulations from around the globe.
The 23rd Festival of Male Voice Choirs
organised by the London Welsh Male Voice
Choir on 13 October at the Royal Albert Hall,
was again considered the ‘best yet’ by many
regular attendees. The organising committee
chairman David Williams and his team can be
very proud of another successful Festival. This has been a
demanding year for the Choir and more so for some choristers, in
particular those who have devoted much time to organising this
concert as well as the Wales Choir of the World at the Royal Festival
Hall in July. Their fellow choristers extend them their thanks, and
congratulations on two successful ventures.
Edward Rhys-Harry was conducting his first Festival at the Royal
Albert Hall and was on top form - both with the massed choir, and
the Cory Band for its individual selection, Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater
Suite. Interestingly, he had not been born when the first Festival
took place in 1969!
Annabel Thwaite was again the Festival pianist, accompanying
not only the choir but also the soloists, Caryl Hughes and Wyn
Davies. Robert Nicholls was the Festival organist, and The Cory Band
was again at its most impressive.
Choirs from Builth, Cirencester, Dunvant, Epsom, Glasgow,
Maesteg, Mynyddislwyn, Neath, Rushmoor, Taf (Cardiff) and
Tregaron joined the LWMVC to make up the massed choir. The choir
sang a variety of songs with those in Welsh drawing the most
sustained applause. Centre piece for the Choir was Karl Jenkins’ The
Hero’s Journey, commissioned by the LWMVC to celebrate the
Olympics.
Advantage was taken of the evening to officially install Huw
Edwards as president of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. This
was carried out by Rhys Madoc, son of Philip Madoc the Choir’s past
president who passed away earlier in 2012.
LWC welcomes new administrator
Karen Gregory, a Welsh speaker from Blackwood has
recently joined the Centre team as full-time Administrator.
Karen takes over from Avis Judd, who has been in the role for
a year. We welcome Karen and we bid Avis a very fond
farewell as she embarks on her new life in Devon. Pob lwc i
Karen ac Avis!
Photo: John Downing
Choir ‘Olympians’ perform to biggest audience ever!
The London Welsh Male Voice Choir at the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall has been reserved for the next LW Festival
on 18 October, 2014!
The Choir has several concerts in outer London and Home
Counties during the coming months, at Beckenham, Harpenden,
Epsom and Dartford – see the back page of this magazine for further
details. The last game for Wales in the Six Nations Rugby
Tournament next year will be against England at the Millennium
Stadium on 16 March and the LWMVC will be part of the pre-match
entertainment on the pitch. Although yet to be confirmed, on the
previous evening, Friday 15 March, the Choir will give a concert at
Monmouth School.
Llongyfarchiadau - Congratulations
To Euron Walters (Castle Street) on winning another prize for
composition at the National Eisteddfod in August.
To Iorweth and Elisabeth Potts (ex Clapham) on the birth of
their great grandson Isaac Hugo.
To Claire Jones and Chris Marshall (Castle Street) on their
marriage. Claire is Harpist to the Prince of Wales and has released a
CD “The Girl with a Golden Harp”
To Rose and Bryan Hughes (Castle Street) on celebrating their
Golden Wedding anniversary in August.
To Rev Gwylfa Evans on reaching an important milestone,
having served in the ministry for 50 years, 34 of them in Harrow
Chapel. We wish him and Buddug a happy and healthy retirement.
To David and Kim Evans on their marriage in August in
Aberaeron. David is a member of Boro’ Chapel and the son of
Megan and the late John Evans, well remembered by all LW
members. Their children, Maisie and Aidan joined in the
celebrations together with many of their London friends.
Good Wishes
To those members who have had hospital treatment recently –
Aled Rees (son of Gwen and Royden), Mrs Myra Davies and Mrs
Valmai Jones (both members of Harrow Chapel). We wish you all a
complete and rapid recovery.
Brysiwch Wella
7
Photo: by Mina Boromond, NUJ
Photo: by Mina Boromond, NUJ
Welsh Role in Fighting Fascism in Spain:
Expert Authors Draw Crowd
Dr Hywel Francis
A recent book launch in the bar was compelling, fascinating and
at times, moving; here we reflect on the evening… Some 75
years’ ago, the hot topic of discussion in the mines and farms of
Wales was of battles in Brunete, Jarama, Belchite and
Guadalajara.
Fathers, sons and brothers left home to fight in a war largely
spurned by the British Government. Propaganda, then and now,
often dismissive of this band of brothers as reds and radicals,
ne’er-do-wells and dropouts.
Why did so many from Wales join the International Brigade
to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War?
What is their reputation now, and who commemorates their
struggle?
An audience of around 70 welcomed two experts, Dr Hywel
Francis MP and Dr Richard Baxell whose new books bring to life
this turbulent and controversial period of recent history to the
Centre on 17 September
Richard Baxell’s latest work, “Unlikely Warriors: The British in
the Spanish Civil War and the struggle against fascism”, is
published by Aurum Press.
It weaves together the stories of the men and women who
opposed Mosley’s Blackshirts on the streets of Britain and then
fought Franco and his Nazi German and Italian Fascist allies from
1936 to 1939.
Drawing on his own extensive interviews with survivors,
Rodney Bickerstaffe
research in archives across Britain, Spain and Russia, as well as
first-hand accounts by writers both famous and unknown,
“Unlikely Warriors” presents a startling new interpretation of the
Spanish Civil War and follows a band of ordinary men and
women who made an extraordinary choice.
He told the audience - including Mary Greening, daughter of
Edwin Greening of Aberdare who survived the war and became a
teacher and councillor, and Les Stratton, whose father Harry
from Swansea also came home - that he had included personal
accounts of conditions at the front - always uncomfortable,
often harrowing and terrifying.
Dr Baxell has a Ph.D. in International History on the British
Battalion of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War
1936-1939, and is a trustee and committee member of the
International Brigade Memorial Trust [IBMT].
Dr Hywel Francis has been Labour MP for Aberavon since
2001. A new edition of his pivotal work, “Miners Against Fascism:
Wales and the Spanish civil war”, is published by Lawrence and
Wishart.Welsh miners made up one of the largest contingents
within the British Battalion of the International Brigades in the
Spanish Civil War. This updated 2012 edition includes a new
preface and a newly compiled complete list of all Welsh
volunteers.
www.international-brigades.org.uk/
Lynne Walsh
Cylch chwarae Cymraeg newydd ar
benwythnos i deuluoedd ifanc yn Llundain!
Ym mar Canolfan Cymru Llundain
(www.londonwelsah.org)
11 ac 25 Tachwedd, 9 Rhagfyr
Rhagor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â:
[email protected]
8
LWCLl MARWOLAETHAU/OBITUARIES
Siân Busby: A tribute
Siân Busby, who died on September 4th after a courageous 5 year
battle against cancer, will be much missed in the London Welsh
community.
Coming from a dairy farming family in West Wales, her Welsh
heritage was very important to Siân and she was an active Trustee
of the London Welsh Trust and cared deeply about the Centre as
the focal point for Welsh life in London. Indeed she attended the
last Trust Council meeting at the beginning of July, when she was
already in considerable pain.
Siân did not just talk; she acted, even taking part in a deep
clean of the Centre some years ago and used to joke about her
knowledge of some of its less familiar corners. She has left us two
major legacies. The first is the history of the London Welsh in the
Entrance Hall. Siân conceived, designed and organised this and it
reflects her meticulous research and knowledge of Wales and the
Welsh. The panels tell a fascinating story, from dairies to chapels
and department stores and will be of interest and enjoyed by
many for years to come.
Siân also spent many hours in the Basement, reviewing,
sorting and cataloguing the Centre Library. This involved
countless afternoons spent in a dusty room surrounded by piles of
books but the result is an on line catalogue; books which can be
borrowed and more rare books which can be consulted by
researchers on site. It is very much a living resource, with new
books being donated all the time and a great asset for the Centre.
Like the history display, it would simply not have happened
without Siân’s expertise and hard work and she just got on with
the job, without fuss or show.
Siân was of course also very much involved with the London
Welsh Chorale, most recently as Co and then Vice Chair. She
could be seen each week singing heartily amongst the sopranos
and for a few years, the Chorale also included Siân’s son Max in
the tenor section. Siân was much loved by her fellow choristers
and the December concert will be dedicated to Siân’s memory,
with a piece by her favourite composer Haydn.
Outside London Welsh, Siân had a distinguished career in the
arts and was the author of several books. The first (published in
2003) was A Wonderful Little Girl, the story of Sarah Jacob, the
Tenovus appeal
You can donate any unwanted clothing at two ‘donation
stations’ situated at the London Welsh Centre
www.tenovus.org.uk
The London Welsh Draw
Fantastic Prizes on offer in this year’s London Welsh Draw!
Tickets are available at the London Welsh Centre and the
Ridgemount Hotel, Gower Street. The draw will take place
on Friday, December 14th 2012. In aid of the London Welsh
Centre Trust.
Welsh Fasting Girl, who
became a national
celebrity with many
visitors flocking to her
bedside at the tiny
Carmarthenshire
family farmstead. The
Cruel Mother (2004),
sub titled A family
ghost laid to rest,
explored the
infanticide committed by her great grandmother and is a deeply
personal and moving analysis of a tragic event in her family
history. Siân’s epic novel, McNaughten (2009), a tale about
madness and insurrection in the 1830s, demonstrated her passion
for history and masterly use of the English language. Her last
work, A Commonplace Killing, set in London after the Second
World War, will be published in the spring. Siân also designed the
Welsh history display at the Pierhead Museum in Cardiff Bay,
which includes documents such as the Pennal letter.
Siân will be remembered in so many ways-as a remarkable
person, with a great sense of humour (that raised eyebrow or
quizzical look); for many acts of kindness and friendship to others
and the way she faced her illness with such courage. Her family
was at the very centre of her life and our thoughts are with her
husband Robert Peston and sons Simon and Max. Diolch yn fawr
iawn annwyl Siân.
Liz Siberry
St David’s Day
Concert 2013
Next year’s St David Day Concert at the Centre will be held
on Saturday 2 March with performances
from the Gwalia Choir, Hywel Children’s
Choir and Eirlys Myfanwy.
Tickets will be on sale from
1 December both from the
office and online via the
Centre’s website –
www.londonwelsh.org.
London Welsh Centre
subscriber discounts will apply.
Prices are:
Full Price: £25 • Cartref: £22.50
Curiad: £21.25 • Calon: £20
CORAU/CHOIRS LWCLl
9
Photo: Rose and Brian Hughes
The London Welsh Chorale’s Christmas concert this year will be
dedicated to the memory of Siân Busby, a much loved and
respected choir member and deputy chair. She worked tirelessly for
the choir, with a level of commitment all the more remarkable given
the gruelling series of treatments which she underwent over a long
period. We will perform Britten, a Ceremony of Carols, John Rutter’s
Magnificat and the Haydn Te Deum at St Giles’ Cripplegate at the
Barbican on Saturday 8 December at 7.30 pm.
The Chorale’s next concert is at the London Welsh Centre on 9
November. Building on a truly memorable 30th Anniversary
concert, we will further explore the work and life of celebrated
Welsh composer Joseph Parry in an evening of words and music
presented by Parry expert and musical director of the London Welsh
Chorale, Edward-Rhys Harry, with performances from the Chorale
and special guests. There is an earlier start time of 7.00 pm.
The London
Welsh Camerata
– a group of
singers drawn
from the
membership of
the Chorale – has
been busy this
autumn with a
wedding in
Windsor, and
also performed
on 21 October at
London’s first
Tunnel to Towers
Martin Lord Thomas, Narrator at the St Teilo concert
Photo: Rose and Brian Hughes
Christmas concert - dedicated to Sian Busby
Edward-Rhys Harry and the soloists from the Anniversary concert
(T2T) race, part of a global event commemorating the firefighters
killed in New York in 9/11. Following the fundraising run – including
team entries from UK fire brigade personnel, the armed forces, other
emergency services and individual runners – we sang popular Welsh
tunes at the after-race party. The Camerata sang at the Association
of London Welsh Lawyers Annual Dinner at Gray’s Inn on 6
November. Many Gray’s Inn members already sing with the Chorale
so this was a home game for us. It is always an enjoyable occasion,
reinforcing the link between us and the “Welsh Inn”.
To round off the year, the Chorale will sing at the Nine Lessons
and Carols at the London Welsh Centre on 9 December. We hope to
see you there.
Our 30th Anniversary concert included the world première
performance of Joseph Parry’s ‘Te Deum’, along with William
Mathias’s ‘St Teilo’. The concert was professionally recorded and
you can obtain the only commercially available recordings of these
works on CD and iTunes through the Chorale’s website.
Lynne Tew
Fed up? Gwalia have never eaten so well...
In September, the Gwalia Male Choir sang at a wedding in St.
Mary’s Church, Walthamstow. There was a huge
demonstration that day in Walthamstow which played
havoc with the traffic and delayed the bride by 20 minutes,
but the bridegroom remained remarkably unruffled by her
late arrival.
We sang a selection of traditional Welsh numbers
including Calon Lan and Rachie which were well recieved.
The following month the choir took part in a celebration
of the Opening of the new Hilton hotel in Lakeside Way,
Wembley. Each part of the U.K. was showcased, so together
with the Gwalia representing Wales, there were a group of
English Morris dancers, Scottish pipers and dancers and an
Irish Ceilidh band.
We sang a number of rousing Welsh numbers including
Delilah for which we got a lot of applause.
Many thanks to our guest conductor James Hearn and
accompanist Wyn Hyland.
At the end of the evening, we discovered the previously
hidden talents of one of our choristers, Richard Killoughery,
who went on stage to join the Irish Ceilidh band and
proceeded to play with them on the tin whistle and Bodhran
(Irish frame drum).
In addition to this, there was also a magnificent buffet
featuring food from all four parts of the U.K. – Welsh lamb
and leek soup, Irish stew, Beef Wellington and haggis. There
was also a lot of other very tasty food besides, which all the
performers were allowed to sample. I don’t think the Gwalia
has ever had such an engagement where we were so well
fed!
For details of our forthcoming engagements over the
next few months, please see the back cover of this magazine
and our website at: www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk.
David Hurlbut
10
Huw Stephens presents….. The London Welsh Sessions
Take three girls...and put them on
stage at the London Welsh Centre
First up was the beautiful and talented Ruth Bullock (no
relation to Sandra) who goes by the stage name of A Girl
Called Ruth. Ruth was originally raised in New Zealand until
her family moved to Conwy when she was ten years old. She
has been writing songs since she was thirteen years old in her
bedroom and it was around that time, that she really got into
music, playing her guitar and developing her song writing craft.
Ruth admired Natalie Imbruglia when she was younger and
cites her as a very early influence. Her voice is beautiful, soft,
slightly husky and diverse. Some of her tracks reminded us of a
style akin to Beth Orton. That was until we heard her sing her
final acoustic song ‘I Need a Man’. This is a song that the ladies
in particular will love. Alone, with her guitar on stage for
company and without a band or anyone to help her along, is no
easy feat – yet Ruth delivered on every song and her new single
‘You I see’ is out now.
Ruth’s experience of her first gig at the London Welsh
Centre…
“It’s a brilliant venue. I didn’t really know much about the place,
until I came here tonight, but it’s awesome and a real home from
home feel. The crowd were amazing and I had a great time here
tonight, it’s one of London’s best kept secrets and I’ll definitely be
coming back!
Let’s also put Greta Isaac into perspective. This lady is just
seventeen years old. She’s still in school. She’s studying for her
A-levels and she still has the time, energy and talent to put on
a show like this – a young woman whose musicality and talent
is mature, beyond her years. Greta was unbelievably composed
and relaxed on stage. She is a talented singer/songwriter, who
is heavily influenced by folk artists, including James Taylor, Joni
Mitchell as well as more recent artists, such as Laura Marling.
Greta’s experience of her gig and time at the London Welsh
Centre…
“It’s always nerve-wracking playing in London. But, I had so much
fun playing here tonight and the support made it easier for me to
relax with my performance and to enjoy myself. It’s a bit like
being back at home here, really – and it’s always nice to have a
great Welsh crowd supporting me, really enjoyed it”.
Poppy Jones is the lead singer and front woman of this six piece
multi-talented band and their music was as cool as their
haircuts! They were full of energy and Poppy Jones is a very
Poppy Jones and her band
cool front-lady, indeed. The band started out by Poppy and
Marc getting together to write songs and sharing their love of
indie pop anthems with each other. This progressed to writing
more and more songs, and sourcing other members, to
complete their band. They are a band that are so fresh and
new, being only completely fully formed a few months ago,
that they don’t actually have a name for their band as yet and
are currently going by Poppy’s name alone – can you help
them?!
Poppy cites Arcade Fire as one of the influences for the band.
Their music was infectious and the whole room joined them in
clapping along to their songs and they had the audience in the
palm of their hands.
Poppy’s experience of her gig and time at the London Welsh
Centre:
“It’s been a great night of music tonight. Really loved being here myself and the band have had a great time performing and we’d
love to come back and play here again. It had a really great
atmosphere here tonight and the crowd were very supportive and
seemed to really enjoy it, which is always a huge bonus for those
who are unfamiliar with our music, so hopefully we gained a few
fans, too.”
Carys Jones
Christmas Cards
Bilingual Christmas Cards are now on sale at the London
Welsh Centre, proceeds towards Tenovus and Cancer
Research Wales. Please contact Karen Gregory on
0207 837 3722 for further details.
11
Photo: Esocial Media
b
Newydd! New!
b
Serge Betsen
Serge Betsen speaking at the Rugby
Business Network at the Centre
b
b
£14.95
clawr caled / hardback
01970 832304
For a full list of our
Welsh and English books visit
www.ylolfa.com
As part of our Rugby Business Network nights at the Centre, French
International Serge Betsen was the recent special guest, presenting
an illustrated talk - Rugby in Africa.
Speaking about the academy in his native Cameroon, guests and
members were treated to an evening with one of the finest
International Rugby players of the past 10 years.
He was joined by Piers Mitchell, a Trustee of Friends of Rwandan
Rugby, who spoke about the work that has been done in that
country since the genocide in the mid-1990’s.
With the Newport Gwent Dragons as guests in September and
Welsh International Stephen Jones the special guest on October 29,
the Centre’s reputation for attracting top quality rugby names
continues to grow.
Iain Richards, Cultural Development Officer
Great Gifts for Christmas from Gomer Press

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www.gomer.co.uk t: 01559 363092 e: [email protected]
12
London Welsh hosts
Bloomsbury Festival gigs
The London Welsh Centre was proud to feature as a host
venue at this year’s Bloomsbury Festival - a weekend which
offers a taster of the amazing cultural life of this beautiful
area of central London.
Welsh drama group White Desert Productions began
proceedings on Saturday 20 October by entertaining
visitors in the main hall with a 20 minute version of “Tea
with Mamgu…” set to tour Wales in 2013. The group hope
to work a lot more with the Centre throughout 2013.
The audience then moved upstairs to the bar to hear
acclaimed Welsh Poet Menna Elfyn read a selection of her
works including from her new book “Murmur” to be
launched in Covent Garden on November 8.
Menna was exceptionally well received and it was a real
thrill for the Centre to host such a well-read and
internationally known Welsh writer.
To complete the day, Chorale member Mary Medlicott
entertained with an excellent performance of storytelling,
entrancing the audience. Mary completed a hugely literary
and successful participation for the Centre at the Festival.
On Sunday, the Centre played host to Swing Patrol – a
group that specialise in jive and swing dancing. With classic
tunes filling the building and a dress code to match, the
main hall was full of new visitors to the Centre and proved
a fitting climax to an excellent weekend raising the Centre’s
profile within our local Community.
All of us here at the Centre hope our involvement and
participation with the Bloomsbury Festival will continue to
grow next year.
Iain Richards
Cultural Development Officer
London Welsh a new platfform for
Welsh talent
As LWC Chairman Alex Meredith was completing his
titanic run from London to Cardiff that same evening at
the Buffalo bar just off Queen Street, the Centre hosted its
very first “Platfform Llundain” gig.
Designed to showcase the Centre as a destination
venue for Welsh bands and musicians, three of the very
best contemporary Welsh acts turned up on a wet and
windy August bank holiday to pledge their support.
Cardiff singer-songwriter Sion Russell Jones toured
America earlier this year after appearing at the world’s
most high-profile music industry event South by
Southwest in Austin, Texas. He recently supported
Charlotte Church on a UK tour and delivered a high quality
set of well-written songs that left everyone present in no
doubt of his ability and potential.
Next up was Ystrad Mynach Rock band Henry’s
Funeral Shoe. Formed by brothers Aled and Brennig
Clifford, they have also toured America this year and
played a thunderous two-piece blues-rock set reminiscent
of the Black Keys and White Stripes.
The final act Clinigol was a five-piece Welsh Language
pop-disco outfit who back up their set with a screen and
lyrics flashing and poking their way through an
entertaining set. Clinigol are the first Welsh-language
band to release a double album and proved a fitting
conclusion to a high quality and varied evening of
contemporary Welsh music – and all in support of the
London Welsh Centre!
Iain Richards
Cultural Development Officer
Nani profiadol
Experienced nanny
Yn eisiau: Nani profiadol a charedig i ofalu am ein mab (un
oed ym mis Ionawr) yn ein cartref yn Wimbledon, Llundain o
ddechrau mis Ionawr 2013. Ry ni am fagu’r babi drwy gyfrwng
y Gymraeg, felly y gallu i siarad yr iaith yn hanfodol.
Dyletswyddau yn cynnwys gweithgareddau amrywiol (e.e.
mynychu grwp Draigiau Bach yn Clapham ar fore dydd Llun) a
pharatoi prydiau bwyd a rhywfaint o dacluso a golchi. Swydd
llawn amser - byw mewn neu mas.
Amodau ffafriol iawn i’r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus. Gyrrwr
yn help ond ddim yn angenrheidiol gan ein bod yn byw yn agos
iawn i’r orsaf. Geirda yn angenrheidiol. Archwiliad CRB clir.
Anfonwch eich CV a’ch disgwyliadau cyflog at
[email protected]. Diolch!
Wanted: An experienced and kind nanny to look after our son
(who will be one year old in January) in Wimbledon, London
from the beginning of January 2013. We are keen for him to
grow up speaking Welsh, so you will need to be fluent in the
language.
Duties will include various activities (e.g. attending the
Dreigiau Bach play group in Clapham on a Monday morning),
preparing meals, some cleaning and washing. This is a full time
position - live in or out.
Favourable terms and conditions for the successful
candidate. Driver preferred but not essential, since we live
close to stations. References essential. Clear CRB check.
Please send your CV and your salary expectations to
[email protected]. Thanks!
O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl
13
Hwyl a Halibalŵ
Gwawriodd bore Sadwrn, 13 Hydref yn fore tra gwahanol i
deuluoedd Cymry Llundain. Am y tro cyntaf yn hanes y ddinas roedd
paratoadau lu gan Gylch Ti a Fi a Dreigiau Bach, Cylchoedd Chwarae
Llundain wedi trefnu bore o ‘Hwyl a Halibalŵ’ i’r gymuned Gymraeg
frwd sydd yn Llundain. Wrth i Ganolfan Cymry Llundain agor ei
drysau am hanner awr wedi deg daeth dros gant o bobl o bob oed ac
o bob rhan o Lundain, Cymru a hyd yn oed Ysgol Diwan Paris, yr
Ysgol Lydewig sydd wedi’i gefeillio â’r Ysgol Gymraeg yn Llundain i
flasu ychydig bach o ‘Hwyl a Halibalŵ’.
A Hwyl a Halibalŵ yn wir a gafwyd. Gyda Trystan ac Einir o’r sioe
deledu Cyw yn arwain y bore drwy ganu a dawnsio a darllen stori
roedd digon o amser ac egni i’r plant gael bownsio ar y castell
bownsio, gwneud amryw o weithgareddau crefft, paentio wynebau a
gwneud nifer o ffrindiau newydd. Roedd pice bach, bara brith a
chacennau cwpan yn cadw’r oedolion yn hapus wrth i bawb
fwynhau profiad Cymreig unigryw iawn - y cyntaf o’i fath yn y brif
ddinas.
“Mae mor braf gweld cymuned Gymraeg mor gryf yn Llundain a
bod pawb yn dod at ei gilydd i ddigwyddiadau fel hyn,” oedd sylw
Trystan.
Roedd y ffaith bod pob plentyn yn wên o glust i glust ac yn
hapus ar ôl bore mor brysur yn dystiolaeth o hyn.
Roedd yr achlysur wedi denu at ei gilydd y gymuned Gymraeg
sydd wedi’i gwasgaru’n eang ar draws y brifddinas ac yn codi
ymwybyddiaeth ac arian sydd ei wir angen ar gyfer Cylch Ti a Fi a
Dreigiau Bach, cylchoedd chwarae Cymraeg Llundain. Roedd hi
hefyd yn fore perffaith i lansio ‘Cwtsh’ cylch teuluol newydd yn
Llundain fydd yn cyfarfod ar foreau Sul o fis Tachwedd ymlaen yng
Nghanolfan Cymry Llundain. Cefnogwyd y bore gan Ganolfan
Cymry Llundain oedd yn darparu’r lleoliad, S4C a PTFA Ysgol
Gymraeg Llundain oedd yn darparu’r lluniaeth.
Diolch i ymroddiad anhygoel y tîm roedd digon o wobrau raffl
gwych. Daeth yr holl wobrau gan gwmnïau o Gymru a ddefnyddir
gan deuluoedd Cymraeg yn Llundain. Roedden nhw’n cynnwys
pedwar tocyn i gêm Cymru v Seland Newydd, gwyliau canol
wythnos yng Nghymru a dillad gwych i fabanod. Roedd cwmnïau fel
Bluestone, JojoMamanBebe a Nant Gwrtheyrn yn noddi’r
digwyddiad. Cynhaliwyd ocsiwn cudd ar gyfer gwaith celf gwreiddiol
Hwyl a Halibalŵ yn y Ganolfan
Einir â Tristan, Hwyl a Halibalŵ
y poster Hwyl a Halibalŵ, a grëwyd gan yr arlunydd Elena D’Cruze
Reynolds ac roedd y cyflwynwyr wedi’i arwyddo ar ymweliad ag
Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain y diwrnod cynt.
“Mae’n fraint bod yma ac mae’n agoriad llygad i weld cynifer o
Gymry gyda’i gilydd yn Llundain i sicrhau bod y plant bach yn gallu
mwynhau drwy’r Gymraeg. Mae’n anrhydedd cael cymryd rhan a
diddanu’r plant,” meddai Einir cyn iddi hi a Trystan ganu eu cân olaf.
Yn araf bach dechreuodd teuluoedd Cymraeg Llundain ar eu siwrne
adref o Ganolfan Cymry Llundain gyda phob plentyn yn cario bag yn
llawn o bethau da ac yn drist o orfod gadael. Fodd bynnag, roedd
pob un yn edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar at yr Hwyl a Halibalŵ y
flwyddyn nesaf.
Am fwy o fanylion am y diwrnod neu un o’r cylchoedd chwarae
uchod cysylltwch â [email protected]
Awen Duggin
Saturday morning,13 October was like no other for the Welsh
community in London. It was the first ‘Hwyl a Halibalw’ hosted
by Cylch Ti a Fi Llundain and Dreigiau Bach, the weekly Welsh
speaking playgroups held in North and South London.
The London Welsh Centre opened its doors to over 35 familes
from all areas of London, Wales and even a family from The
Diwan Breton school in Paris came to enjoy!
Trystan and Einir from Cyw entertained us all with songs
which got us all up dancing. There was also a bouncy castle, face
painting, arts and crafts and tasty cakes provided by the PTFA
from Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain.The event was organised by Cylch
Ti a Fi Llundain and Dreigiau Bach to raise awareness of the Welsh
speaking playgroups held in London and much needed funds.
Over £1,000 was raised.
Contact details – [email protected]
[email protected]
14
LWCLl CHWARAEON/SPORT
On 29 June, London Welsh won their legal appeal against the RFU’s
decision to ban its promotion to the Aviva Premiership - but still
remained everyone’s favourite to be relegated to the Championship at
the end of the season.
The court’s decision left only two months to put together a squad
capable of competing at English rugby’s top table - and off the pitch
the RFU have been determined to make life as difficult as possible for
them as possible.
The original ban was imposed unsympathetically, just hours
before the kick off at the Championship Final against Cornish Pirates
and the RFU have also managed to conjure up a fixture list for the new
season which pitted Welsh against last season’s Premiership finalists Leicester and Harlequins - in their first two matches.
Welsh were duly hammered 13-38 and 3-40 in these two fixtures,
but then turned around an early 14 point deficit to beat Exeter 25-24,
a comfortable win away at bottom side Sale and salvaged losing
bonus points at home to Gloucester and Saracens - again almost
turning round big deficits in both games.
Welsh have already accumulated ten league points, above London
Irish (9 points), and Sale, who are languishing at the bottom with just
a single bonus point to date.
Importantly, most of Welsh’s games this far have also been
against teams from the top half of the table.
Ironically, given the scrummaging and mauling inadequacies of last
season, Welsh this term have proved a handful up front, with 5 of their
10 tries coming from either driving mauls or sustained pick up and go
by the pack.
This latter strategy is so much more fruitful than the feeding of
maul ball to static 3 man ‘pods’ as so often practised by the national
XV.
Gloucester’s coach, ex Scarlet Nigel Davies, says Welsh contest
the breakdown as aggressively as any team in the league.
This turn around in forward play stems from some quite astute pre
season signings, including Rumanian international prop Paulica Ion
from London Irish, French props, Montanella and Joly, from bankrupt
Bourgoin, Russian man mountain Kirill Kulemin, and dynamic hooker,
Neill Briggs, ex England Saxons.
Adding power to the back row are New Zealander Daniel Browne,
Samoan Alfie To’oala, and last season’s stalwart, Ed Jackson. The
whole is well led by ex Scarlet Jonathan Mills, converted from back to
second row since The Championship Final.
For the most part however the squad contains few Welsh or
English qualified players, the latter even more of a worry than the
former given that extra funds are provided for featuring EQPs (English
Qualified Players) in match day squads.
Of Welsh’s other tries, three were opportunist efforts provided by
wings Nick Scott and Canadian Phil Mackenzie, and centre Hudson
Tonga’uiha, with the remaining two tries resulting from excellent
threequarter play, the final score against Saracens being created by a
superb overhead pass from Gavin Henson, in his first outing of the
season.
Photo: courtesy of Getty Images
Kicking back – London Welsh resilience keeps them
in the running... and preparing to make a noise
Gavin Henson
London Welsh’s new home, Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, has proved
a long trek for the Old Deer Park faithful, but ironically is quite
convenient for the supporters of almost every other team in the
league.
Hence the away support outnumbers the home at most games.
Even more of a reason for Welsh fans to organise a team chant, which
seems mandatory at this top level. Come on London Welshmen, let’s
make a noise to match the sterling efforts of our team on the pitch.
Peter Daniels
KARL DAVIES – NEW PAINTINGS
3rd - 21st DECEMBER 2012
Karl DAVIES
Welsh (b.1971)
‘Heading In’
Oil on canvas
Signed
16 by 20 inches
Karl DAVIES
Welsh (b.1971)
‘Out Together’
Oil on canvas
Signed
23 by 24 inches
34 Lamb's Conduit Street
London, WC1N 3LE
Tel: 020 7242 0010 [email protected]
www.langhamgallery.com
Who’s doing what, and where
What’s on at the Centre
(Please visit the Centre’s website for information on timings and tickets)
Concert with London Welsh Chorale; The life and
9 November
work of Welsh Composer Joseph Parry
10 November
Wales v Argentina on the Big Screen (2.30pm
kick-off)
10 November
Dafydd Iwan 50th Anniversary Tour
11 November
Cwtsh 10am – 12pm
16 November
Wales v Samoa on the Big Screen (7.30pm kick-off)
24 November
Wales v New Zealand on the Big Screen (5.15pm
kick-off)
Cwtsh – 10am – 12pm
25 November
26 November
Wales’ most capped Footballer Neville Southall
book launch
30 November
Swansea City Supporters Trust
1 December
Wales v Australia at the Calthorpe Arms (opposite
the London Welsh Centre – 2.30pm kick-off)
9 December
Cwtsh – 10am – 12pm
9 December
9 Lessons and Carols
11 December
Christmas Quiz
25 January
Huw Stephens presents The London Welsh Sessions
28 January
Creative Cardiff & Rugby Business Network;
Cardiff: The World’s Greatest Rugby City & Six
Nations Preview
2 February
Wales v Ireland on the Big Screen (1.30pm kick-off)
4 February
London Welsh Forum – check the website for details
9 February
France v Wales on the Big Screen (5pm kick-off)
23 February
Italy v Wales (2.30pm kick-off)
1 March
Outreach in Bloomsbury
2 March
St David’s Day Concert
9 March
Scotland v Wales (2.30pm kick-off)
16 March
Wales v England (5pm kick-off)
London Welsh Male Voice Choir
Musical Director: Edward-Rhys Harry.
Accompanist: Annabel Thwaite.
17 November
St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich (shared concert with
Norfolk Brass)
1 December
St Georges Church, Beckenham, Kent
12 January
Methodist Church, Harpenden, Herts.
16 February
St Martin of Tours Church, Epsom
2 March
Orchard Theatre, Dartford, Kent
16 March
Pre-match entertainment: Wales v England,
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30 – 9.30 every Thursday evening at the
London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors and potential new
choristers are always welcome.
For more information, please see our up-to-date website at:
www.londonwelshmvc.org
Gwalia Male Choir
Musical Director – Janet Haney
11 November
Gymanfa Ganu – Jewin Chapel
5 December
Xmas carols – Thornhill Primary School, Islington
7 December
Association of Anaesthetists, Portland Place
8 December
Wedding – St. Mary’s Church, Chiddingstone, Kent
Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. every Wednesday at the
London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors & potential new
members always welcome.
For more information, please see our website at:
www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk
London Welsh Chorale
Musical Director: Edward-Rhys Parry
7.30pm - Joseph Parry Evening at the London Welsh
9 November
Centre. An evening of words and music about Joseph
Parry with London Welsh Chorale and soloists Huw
Rhys Evans and Carol Foulkes
8 December
7.30 pm - Christmas Concert St. Giles’,
Cripplegate, Fore Street, Barbican, London EC2Y
8DA. Britten, Ceremony of Carols; Rutter, Magnificat;
Haydn, De Teum. In memory of Siân Busby
9 December
6:00 pm - 9 Lessons and Carols, London Welsh
Centre 157 – 163 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8UE.
Traditional Nine Lessons & Carols in Welsh and
English.
Choir rehearsals are held from 7.15 – 9.30 pm every Tuesday at the London
Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors and potential new members
are always welcome. For more information, or if you are interested in
joining the choir please see our Website:
www.londonwelshchorale.org.uk
or e-mail: [email protected]
The London Welsh Camerata, drawn from the main Chorale membership, is
a small group performing regularly at weddings, and special occasions of all
kinds. If you would like to find out more about the Camerata, to discuss
repertoire, or to make a booking, please contact Rhiannon Hughes:
[email protected]
London Branch of the
Welsh Family History Societies
19 January 2013 Annual General Meeting
Meetings are held at 2 pm at Borough Welsh Congregational
Chapel, 90 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0EX. Anyone with
an interest in Welsh family history is very welcome to join us.
Details of meetings can be found on the branch website
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wlslbfhs/ or by contacting the
Secretary, Anne Jones, on 0208 925 4000, e-mail
[email protected].
What’s on and Where
Interested in artists from Wales performing across a wide range of genres? Here are some
dates for your diary.
November
10 Noon - 2.30pm (free) Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Georgia Ruth Williams at Union
Chapel, Upper St
10 Sweet Baboo (supporting) at The Gladstone, Lant St SE1 (tube: Borough)
14 Osian Rhys “Summery psychedelic pop” - supporting. at Dublin Castle, Camden Parkway
16 Ballet Cymru - Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs (after Roald Dahl) music Paul
Patterson, choreographer Darius James. Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
17 Ballet Cymru double bill: Cold Rolling - Tanya Råman presents a new work inspired by
Ebbw Vale’s industrial past; soundtrack composed by John Hardy and recorded by Ebbw
Vale MVC: TIR - inspired by Cerys Matthews’ album of Welsh Folk Music;
choreographers Darius James and Amy Doughty; Cerys will play the music live on stage.
Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells
22 Catrin Finch harp - to include music by John Rutter and Finch herself - St John’s Smith
Square SW1
23 Feeder at Brixton Academy SW9
24 at 10.30am - 1pm. Masks: Voices and Disguises in Poetry workshop with Pascale Petit,
Art Workers Guild, 6 Queen Square WC1
December
5 Colorama at Sebright Arms, Coate Street E2
7 Race Horses at KOKO (Club NME) 1A Camden High St
10 Katherine Jenkins - Christmas concert with special guests. RAH.
15 Bryn Terfel as The Dutchman; concert performance of Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer RFH
15 Los Campesinos! Islington Assembly Hall, Upper St N1
23 Aled Jones - music and Carols with The Bach Choir, London Concert Orchestra - RAH
23 Sweet Baboo (supporting) at The Lexington 96-98 Pentonville Road
2013
www.londonwelsh.org
Feb 18 Funeral for a Friend at The Garage, Highbury Corner N5
April 27 Aled Jones - Guildford Cathedral