EWSNEWS – December 2016

The story so far…

Friday, 18 November. Early St. Andrew’s Night supper party at 7.30pm

Our St Andrew’s supper party at Priestfield Church Hall was enjoyed by all. The dancers were a delight, and Hywel and Pam’s granddaughter Ceinlys even gave us a solo, which was absolutely gorgeous. We are most fortunate to have them enhance our evening. After a warming supper organised by Lilian John and efficiently served up by the committee, we had two quizzes organised by Hywel Williams, followed by a surprise raffle run by David Hughes. We had a cautionary dentist’s tale from Alison Hughes; Jean Phillips gave us a lovely recitation of “The boy in the train” by Mary Campbell Smith; and community singing led by Margaret Brandie rounded off the evening.

Sunday, 11 December.  Christmas celebrations from 3pm at the Reid Memorial Church large hall.

Our Christmas carol service was led by Margaret Brandie with readings by Chris Brandie, David Hughes and Stephanie Ledger.  Huw Thomas accompanied the carols. We then enjoyed a tasty tea, complete with rainbow jelly, ice cream and custard. While the grown-ups enjoyed a second (or even third) cuppa, Margaret organised games for the wee people. Just as they finished passing the parcel we heard jingle bells, and in strolled Santa with a sack full of presents, one for each youngster. An enormous thank you to all, readers, singers, bakers, tea makers and washer uppers.

Panto 2016 – not strictly an EWS event but definitely worthy of a wee mention.

On 8 Dec the Bevans and Welshers cheered, booed, and yelled “behind you” appropriately as Huw Thomas (Sing Bad) and his fellow am-drammers of Forth Dimension Musical Productions gave us their “1001 nights & a matinee”, and on 10 Dec the Johns sampled the matinée. Such fun!

Forthcoming events:

Sunday 22 January 2017. Film show at 3.00pm in the Reid Memorial Church, small hall.

We propose to show “Pride”; a joyous and heart-breaking film based on the miners’ strike of 1984 and the support one Welsh mining community received from a very surprising source. Tea and biscuits to follow.

Society news

We were saddened to hear that John Hunter had died on 22 November.  He had been poorly for some time.  He had been an active member of the Society for many years, playing the piano for services and musical evenings.  I personally remember with great pleasure his portrayal of a Dutch Elm Tree (with beetles and shedding leaves) in our Panto 2000. Our love and warmest good wishes go to Eirlys.

The Edinburgh Welsh Society website

By the time you read this I hope to be the editor of the website and plan to continue to add reports and pictures of our events.  Please check it out from time to time to see what has been going on. If you have any news, words and/or pictures you would like included please e-mail me (ewsccd@gmail.com) and I’ll do my best to incorporate them.