Dedicated to celebrating and learning about all things Welsh

The Welsh Society of Western New England (WSWNE)

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2006 Christmas Gathering Our annual Christmas Gathering was held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at a new location this year, the historic Lord Jeffrey Inn, Amherst, Massachusetts. The large turnout was served a fine luncheon, then treated to a talk by WSWNE President Tom Bernard on the topic of "The Impact of the Welsh Language on English".  Tom provided fascinating insights into a variety of areas ranging from family surnames and place names to the origins of common sayings. The audience enjoyed being able to actively participate, not only by asking questions, but by guessing some of the English words or phrases arising from the sources Tom described. For example, his question of how the ancient Druids might awaken the spirit of a tree led to more than one, "ohh,  they must knock on wood."

2006 Fall "Focus on Wales" Gathering Our Annual Fall Gathering for 2006 was held Saturday, September 30th at the All Saints' Episcopal Church hall in South Hadley, Mass. The luncheon featured homemade leek and potato soup, sandwiches, and homemade Angelsey cake and Welsh cakes. The program consisted of two parts: (1) An illustrated presentation on the 2005 trip by the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Choir to perform at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The presenter,  Judy Case (seen in  the upper photo), is the choir member who alerted us both to the trip and to the lovely concert by the choir at Mount Holyoke College prior to their departure for Wales. Many of our members attended that concert, some even assisted with distributing programs there. (2). Memories of Wales and its People - based on the marvelous time we had at the last Fall Gathering when we just got to talking as a group about what we knew personally of Wales and things Welsh, we decided to make this an official part of this year’s program.  Those who have lived or visited in Wales, who recalled their Welsh parents or grandparents, or who have searched for their Welsh ancestry told their stories.

2006 Glasgow Lands Festival On Saturday July 15, 2006 , for the fourth year in a row, we had our Welsh "clan tent" pitched among those of our Celtic cousin Scots at the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival in Look Park, Northampton, MA. The festival began with great pageantry as the clan flags were carried in for the opening ceremonies - so many lions rampant and highland tartans carried by folks in kilts were joined by our red dragon flags held aloft by our representatives in "Welsh lady" and Welsh quarryman costumes. There were special performances by a variety of fine Celtic musicians & singers. Of special interest to us was Jodee James (the wonderful Welsh - American singer whom we have featured in past concerts) with two companions, on fiddle and percussion, forming the "Celtic Sisters". Thanks to our own photographer, WSWNE President Tom Bernard, for capturing this colorful moment.

The 2006 WSWNE St. David's Day Gathering was held on Sat. Mar. 4 at the Nutmeg restaurant in East Windsor, CT. Following a fine luncheon in the lovely setting arranged for us by Tina Davies, WSWNE President Tom Bernard (standing in photo on left) read letters and proclamations in celebration of St. David's Day. Tom also revealed his comedic talents with a masterful delivery of the joke, "The Welsh Spy", printed in the February "Ninnau". In addition to new member introductions, all present were asked to share a bit about themselves, with emphasis on their "Welsh connection". Shirley Kiefer then led the main program in which members supplied the voices for a dramatic reading of Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood".  Lacking time to complete the full work, we concluded appropiately with our own WSWNE Chaplain, the Rev. Arvel Steece, reading the famous prayer spoken by Llareggub's Rev. Eli Jenkins.

2005 WSWNE Holiday Season Gathering was held on Sat. Dec. 3.  - at Woodbridge's Restaurant in South Hadley, Massachusetts, deep green garlands and wreaths with red bows were joined by the green and red of our Welsh flag displayed proudly in the front window. Following the sharing good food and good fellowship around each table, the twenty eight attendees enjoyed a brief report by guest Judy Case on some of the experiences of the Mount Holyoke Glee Club Alumnae Choir during their visit to Wales that included competing at the 2005 International Musical Eisteddford in Llangollen. Our Christmas program featured excerpts from a stirring video, "Welsh Church Choirs Singing the Most Popular Hymns of Wales", featuring some of the finest Welsh church choirs in churches selected from several different regions of Wales. This was followed by our own Christmas carol sing-along under the direction of WSWNE member Mrs. Kathleen Steece. We did not attempt singing these in Welsh however, saving that more challenging activity for a possible future program.

Our 2005 Fall Meeting was held on Sat. Oct. 22. Following a delicious luncheon prepared by Veronica Chapman, plus Welsh cakes added by Kathleen Steece and Beth Brown, the program featured the video: "The Pivotal Role of Women in the French Invasion of Wales in 1797". The events, depicted through a combination of live action and clever cartoons, occurred near Fishguard, Wales. WSWNE President Tom Bernard added more from his research on the subject and had our "Welsh Lady" stand to illustrate the red shawl worn by the women whose marching fooled the French into thinking they were seeing red coated soldiers, Several members familiar with this region of Wales added insights based on their personal knowledge.  The lively discussion soon broadened to other topics including how to make Wales in general, and our Welsh Society in particular, better known in western New England.

The Welsh Society of Western New England joined our Celtic cousin Scots for the third year in a row at the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival held July 16, 2005 at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts. Our Welsh Society tent was well staffed by members including Beth Roberts Brown in her "Welsh lady" costume, president Tom Bernard, Ed Brown, Dan Fitzgerald and Jean Ross. Many festival attendees stopped by to browse our information table with its variety of Welsh related literature and to sample a homemade Welsh cake as well. As in past years, many visitors shared stories of trips to Wales or expressed an interest in things Welsh based on their own Welsh ancestry or that of their spouse.

On July 2, 2005 the Mount Holyoke Glee Club Alumnae Choir performed in Abbey Chapel on the campus of Mount Holyoke College before leaving to compete at the 2005 International Musical Eisteddford in Llangollen, Wales on Saturday, July 9. The choir even sang Suo Gan in Welsh. Eleven WSWNE members attended the concert (including our own costumed Welsh Lady). Four volunteered to usher, handing out trip brochure-programs, and, with the choir's permission, some WSWNE information handouts as well.

On April 17, 2005 Robin Huw Bowen, internationally recognized master of the Welsh triple harp, performed in a Sunday afternoon concert in the lovely sanctuary space of the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse in Springfield, MA. The event was cosponsored by WSWNE and the uNi Coffeehouse Concert Series. Robin Huw Bowen is seen here on the left, in this photo with Beth Brown (dressed in "Welsh lady" costume), and WSWNE president Tom Bernard. During the intermission, WSWNE provided the audience with samples of Welsh cakes, breads, and a wassail, in addition to information on WSWNE and all things Welsh. The Pioneer Valley Harper' Guild brought samples of Celtic harps and provided information on harps and harping .

On March 5, 2005, Tina Davies organized and presided at one of our best St. David's Day Luncheon Celebrations ever. A full room of WSWNE members and guests at the Nutmeg restaurant in East Windsor, CT enjoyed a menu expanded to include Welsh oriented cream of leek soup and a lamb entree. After the meal, WSWNE charter member Shirley Kiefer, a longtime devotee of Welsh story and legend, gave an inspired presentation of some of the themes in the Mabinogian. She even evoked the bardic storytelling tradition of having a harp accompniment (via a recording of Robin Huw Bowen plaing the Welsh triple harp). Tina Davies provided a grand finale touch at the piano as she led the singing of Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhaddau (Land of My Fathers).

On December 4, 2004, WSWNE members filled the dining room reserved for our traditional holiday gathering at Woodbridges Restaurant in South Hadley, MA Here WSWNE President Tom Bernard introduces WSWNE member Juniper Talbot, a skilled storyteller, folklorist and bard, for her talk, "When Pigs Could Fly " - an overview of mystery and magic in ancient Welsh folklore.

A large and attentive audience heard the speaker,WSWNE President Tom Bernard, at a "Video, Lunch, & Lecture" on the topic of "Prince Madoc and the 12th Century Welsh Discovery of America " - held at the All Saints Episcopal Church, South Hadley, MA on Saturday afternoon, October 23, 2004. WSWNE Newsletter Editor, Sue Davies Sit, is seen indicating where Madoc departed Wales, near her own birthplace. A plaque in Fort Morgan, Alabama is dedicated "In memory of Prince Madoc, a Welsh explorer who landed on the shores of Mobile Bay in 1170..."

WSWNE Chaplain, Rev. Arvel M. Steece, attended the Annual Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh Hymn Sing) at the St. James Episcopal Church in Keene, NH on Sunday, October 17, 2004. This was his 20th year (at least) of participation in this annual event.

Plaque dedicated at North American Festival of Wales (including the National Gymanfa Ganu) in Buffalo, NY on Labor Day weekend 2004. WSWNE participants included Martha Davies & Berwyn Jones, Tina Davies, Veronica Chapman, and Beth & Ed Brown.

Tom Bernard & Jim Loughman, flanked by Beth & Ed Brown (costumed as North Wales Welsh Lady and Slate Quarryman), were joined by many other WSWNE members hosting our "clan tent" at Glasgow Lands Festival, Look Park, Northampton, MA on July 17, 2004.

Several WSWNE members attended the July 13, 2004 Tanglewood concert by the acclaimed Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel. Members Susan Davies Sit and Tina Davies waved a Welsh flag; that got his attention and a wave back!