Sunday 9 October 2016

Our service of Harvest Thanksgiving was led by Margaret Brandie with a thoughtful address by Chris Brandie.  Huw Thomas accompanied the hymns. A table full of groceries was left for the Church and will be taken to their local food bank.  Tea and welsh cakes were served after the service.

We presented Huw with our cheque to be sent on to the Hospice in Llanelli (see our 1 October report), and he presented the Society with a framed illuminated copy of “Mae hen wlad …” a lovely gift from the choir.

Saturday 1 October 2016

Concert by The Phil Harmonics

The Phil Harmonics are a recently-created ladies’ community choir based in Llanelli, whose members love singing and are passionate about raising money for good causes home and away. In just one week in July, they helped organise a fundraising dinner and dance in aid of Prince Philip Hospital Breast Care Unit and a Ugandan maternity hospital, and gave an impromptu performance at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club! In June they supported Eurovision Song Contest winners The Brotherhood of Man at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, and their memorable appearance alongside Côr Meibion Llanelli at the Ffwrnes Theatre is scheduled to be repeated in December when they will be appearing as special guests of the ‘boys’ of Côr Meibion.

It was a real privilege to host the choir for their first appearance in Scotland, when twenty ladies under the baton of Sarah Mair Richards treated us to a refreshing mix of traditional and modern songs with a difference. The large hall at the Reid was as well filled as the stage, and everyone present enjoyed themselves, both during the concert and at the refreshment break afterwards that gave the audience a chance to chat to the choir members.

Generous donations from the audience allowed us to send a cheque for £150 to Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, the charity the choir wished to support.

Friday 23 September 2016

“Croeso” Opening Social evening at the Merchants Golf Club

Once everyone had managed to work out how to get to this new venue, about 30 of us enjoyed a (much-improved) buffet supper, relaxed in good company, and were amused in the usual ways.

The President’s quiz challenged us to identify a wide range of locations on Wales and Scotland, a number of members shared poems or told us stories – some very tall – and there were even some musical contributions, despite the lack of accompaniment.

It was good to have some visitors from afar, and we duly acknowledged the impending special birthday of our beloved Secretary!

Saturday 3 September 2016

Borders train trip plus visit to Abbotsford House

What can I say! The train was on time. The bus was waiting at the station and delivered us right to the car park of Abbotsford House. Our tables were laid ready for lunch. Our guide was called Owen and is half Welsh, but fluent in French and German and absolutely delightful. The threatened rain didn’t amount to much more than a few spots, and 16 members and 2 guests had a splendid day out. Huge thanks to Lilian for putting it all together.

Saturday 25 June 2016

Lunch and walking tour of Linlithgow

A cheery group of us met in “The Four Marys” and had a relaxed lunch. We then walked around part of the heritage trail of this interesting town. The weather was kind and Keith had done his homework so we were entertained and enlightened.