Friday 27 January 2023

Our Secretary writes:

“Lilian and Huw once again came up trumps with a scrumptious Chinese banquet. This was followed by a very interesting quiz, devised by Pamela Williams, with Hywel officiating as quizmaster. There were four teams of six and the results were close. I can’t quite remember which table won (it wasn’t mine, hence the memory fade) but it was jolly good fun. We rounded off the evening with community singing led ably by Huw Thomas. Thanks to Janet for producing new song sheets. A splendid evening, much enjoyed by all.”

Friday 25 November 2022

We met for a St Andrew’s Evening in the wonderfully warm surroundings of Priestfield Parish Hall, and enjoyed tucking in to haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by cranachan – many even managed seconds!

After what seemed all too short a time chatting over the coffee, we turned our attention to a session of “Call My Bluff”, which many of those present remembered watching in their youth! Our President was the “electronic display”, and our indefatigable secretary had picked out three of our number to be the celebrity panel – Cledwyn Thomas, Janet Thomas and Walter Whitelaw – and we were delighted with the performances of her “victims”. Helped in some cases by the BYOB we all joined in enthusiastically, and are pleased to report that we weren’t fooled all the time by Jennifer’s alternative definitions.

Then it was time for Jim Hughes to lead a spot of community singing to round off the evening, with a selection of mostly secular songs that were partly remembered by many, but proved a bit of a challenge to sing, before we reached the safer ground of Rachie, Calon lân and “Mae hen wlad fy nhadau”.

Thank you so much, Jennifer, for organising the evening, and thanks to all who contributed to its success, especially our catering team.

Friday 30 September 2022

There was an unusually large number of apologies for our Creoso at the Mortonhall Golf Club, but the twenty who attended (including some welcome new faces) enjoyed both another very generous meal and our Secretary’s entertainment! For this, the audience were presented with a map of Wales and encouraged to put a favourite spot on the map – if they wished, they could talk about the significance of the place to them. This led to some great stories …

• Jennifer Welsher remembered a pre-University summer holiday working behind the counter at Woolworths in Porthcawl, and “oiling the salamis”
• Myra Tarr recalled 1940s holidays near Lake Bala (Lllyn Tegid) and “Ceri’s eggs”
• Jim Hughes put his pin in Llandudno, leaving his exploits there to our imaginations!
• Margaret Brandie took the “Jones bus” from Cribyn (near Lampeter) to Aberaeron to taste the fish and chips and honey ice-cream, and enjoy the August Bank Holiday Carnival atmosphere.
• Hywel Williams earned his tourist guide badge by taking us round the beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula to his mother’s home near Abersoch, calling in on the way on two past presidents living at Morfa Nefin.
• Lisa Poulter told how the cries of seagulls always reminded her of holidays at Saundersfoot.
• Nigel Lindsay told of his holidays on a smallholding at Govilan (near Abergavenny) and trips to the “fleshpots of Barry Island” funded by collecting empty bottles.
• Steven Griffin has links with Merthyr Tydfil and Ogmore-by-Sea, but put his pin in Anglesey, marking the pub (“somewhere between Llangefni and Holyhead”) where he had had his first really positive experience in striking up a conversation with someone whose first language was Welsh.

By the end of the evening, the map was sufficiently populated for Jennifer to be able to call on Jim Hughes to lead the community singing, ending with “Mae hen wlad fy nhadau”.

Thank you so much, Jennifer.

Sunday 6 March 2022

A good turnout for our Gymanfa. As David Hughes was still testing positive, Huw Thomas and Jennifer Welsher stood in. It was lovely to be back in the Reid, and once we had finally located our Welsh hymn books and calmed down from the panic, our gymanfa began. Our members requested their favourite hymns and Huw Thomas played the piano and we sang. This was followed by a much appreciated cup of tea and slice of bara brith provided by Lilian John and a chance to chat, much missed over lockdown.

Friday 4 March 2022

Thirty three members and guests enjoyed a splendid meal at the golf club. We were well looked after by David Henderson and his team. Our President was sadly laid low with Covid but our lovely “First Lady” Alison stood in for him beautifully. Margaret Brandie said grace and we tucked in.

Following the meal not one but four guest speakers shared their reminiscences of the Society over the years. First, Jennifer Welsher’s daughter, Gilli, who grew up thoroughly embedded in the Society from the age of 5. Then Huw Thomas, President from 1991–2, recalled that he was welcomed not only to the Society, but to the strong Llanelli contingent. Thirdly, we heard how Megan Whitelaw joined as a student, left to concentrate on her finals, and joined again when she heard Jennifer’s name on the radio. And last but by no means least, Huw John, President from 2004–5, rounded off the evening with a toast to Dewi Sant. All four were delightfully funny, moving and entertaining. The evening was rounded off beautifully with community singing, led by Jim Hughes, assisted by Huw Thomas.