Anna Yardley Jones has drawn our attention to Welsh language sessions organised by Clwb Cwtsh. These are tailored for parents in particular but are also suitable for Nain and Taid, people working with young children and anyone who wishes to learn some basic Welsh (including plenty of nursery rhymes).

The sessions are free, available virtually, and you can follow them from anywhere around the world. The sessions run for eight weeks starting w/b 10 May, with courses available on different days and at different times. It’s still not too late to join in.

More details on the Clwb Cwtsh Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ClwbCwtsh/

You’ll have read in Jennifer’s report on the Christmas Carols and Lessons session that “we could all sing the lovely Welsh carols”. Whilst that was indeed the case with the more traditional elements of the afternoon, your webmaster really enjoyed listening to a couple of more modern pieces found online by Team Brandie, and especially this song of the angels: 

Our President, David Hughes, writes:

Annwyl Aelod, mae 2020 bron a dod i ben – diolch byth. Da ni yn gobeithio gewch chi gyfarfod hefo teulu and cael ychydig o bleser ac mwynhad dros y Nadolig a’r Flwyddyn Newydd. Felly Nadolig Llawen and Blwyddyn Newydd dda i bawb. Cymerwch ofal ac aroswch yn iach. Hwyl fawr – David & Alison.

Dear EWS member, 2020 is coming to an end and we can only hope that 2021 is a lot, lot better. We both hope that you are able to have some time and some enjoyment with family over the Christmas and New Year period. So please have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that we can meet up at some point before too long. Take care and stay safe and healthy. Best wishes – David & Alison.

The chair that Jennifer Welsher displayed at our “Bards wanted!” session was one that she had won at the 1986 Society Eisteddfod, an occasion that she remembers as the “E-flat Eisteddfod”, for reasons that will become clear when you read this linked account, which is in Jennifer’s own handwriting. Changed days!

Not so changed is the description of EWS in the entry that enabled Jennifer to win the beautiful Jim Graham chair from a field of 27:

There thrives a Society of Taffs
In Church Halls, Skittle Alleys and caffs
Keeping hiraeth at bay
As they sing, talk and pray
Or just get together for laffs.

Our next meeting (Friday 27 November at 7.30pm) is being held as near to St Andrew’s night as is practical, and will take the form of a Zoom party. Please feel free to serve your own haggis, neeps and tatties, and a wee dram, as desired. An article of Welsh or Scottish dress (or both) will be appreciated.

The focus of the evening will be a ‘write and read out’ of your own limerick which should have some Welsh or Scottish (or both) theme.

This means you’ll need to stimulate those grey cells, and energise those pens or keyboards. We’re not looking to find a potential Prifardd (or the next Makar, come to that), but we are looking for something better than Poem Generator can produce!

We will also have an interlude of favourite snippets of poetry for those who would prefer.

If you are thinking of taking part, please let our Secretary know beforehand, so a programme of events can be roughed out. In any event, we need to know ahead of time who is zooming in so you can be given the relevant codes. Please email Jennifer, and do join us.