Tag Archives: Welsh

Christmas Drinks 2022

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Well, someone forgot to take the photos! (sorry)

Alan & Di Longshaw

Anyway, we had a lovely time at Alan & Di Longshaw’s home in Austenwood (Chalfont St Peter). They are wonderful hosts and have held our Christmas Drinks and the Summer Lunch at their home many times before. There is lots of room to circulate and try to get round to seeing everyone.

 

Kay DayKay Day had made the arrangements and asked Ann Tennant to do the catering. Ann worked on her own and was like a dervish – she was preparing the canapes and serving them and seemed to be everywhere at the same time offering a wide selection of different goodies, and even remembering people’s food requirements.

As Ann wasAnn Tennant working on her own, we were able to reduce the price of the event from £18 in 2021 to £14 this year.

Guests started arriving at around 12:30 and we had a very good turnout this year with 50 members in total, including many new faces, which is really nice, although illness prevented one or two from attending at the last moment.

Kay and Ann handed guests a drink as they arrived, but after that people served themselves from the well-stocked dining table.

The World Cup was a frequent topic of conversation, with most deciding that Wales had played bravely and that this was the best result for decades, but as they were no longer in the competition, then, under the circumstances, many felt that it was now permissible to support England.

Another topic was the sadness that a number of our most stalwart members had passed away this year. They will all be missed.

We had no piano or keyboard this year, but that did not deter us. Towards the end of the afternoon, Kay, Barrie Reece, Colin Thomas and Jean Owen formed the core of our cerddoriaeth and soon got everyone joining in in a succession of carol songs and Welsh favourites, culminating, of course, with the National Anthem.

Colin Picton thanked Alan and Di for their hospitality, and we all thought that Kay and Ann Tennant had done a splendid job in planning and delivering the food.

Our thanks go to all those who contributed to making this such a success.

 

London Walk

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We had our delayed London Walk on Wednesday 26th October. It was originally scheduled for September, but was postponed as so many people were unwell.

Meeting our guideWe met our guide, Caroline James outside St Paul’s Cathedral at 11am. I’m afraid that our numbers were down – there were only 5 of us in total, but luckily the weather held mostly fine – a drizzle threatened a couple of times, but never came to anything.

Caroline was a fantastic guide with incredible knowledge of the Welsh population in the late 18th century, when the early Welsh Societies were first formed. She showed us the sites of the first meeting places (mostly in pubs and coffee houses).

The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion was founded in 1751 by the two Morris brothers from Anglesey, to promote the language, literature and arts of Wales. This was a bit too high minded and serious for some, who, led by Owen Jones (Owain Myfyr), formed the Gwyneddigion Society in 1771. Many Welshmen were members of both societies and meetings were held on different evenings so not to clash with each other.

Bengal AlleyWe were taken on a walk through some of the older parts of the City of London, down tiny little alleys and narrow roads with names like Old Fish Street Hill, Bread Street, Seething Lane and Crutched Friars. As we went Caroline pointed out where the pubs and coffee houses stood or still stand, with stories about the Welsh people that were involved in them.

We passed the London Mithraeum with its remains of a Roman temple and briefly entered St Stephen Walbrook, a church designed by Jonathan's Coffee HouseChristopher Wren with a beautiful circular ceiling. It is also the place where the Samaritans was founded. We were very lucky in that when we entered the choir was practicing and the overall effect was enchanting.

Walbrook was also the site of the Bull’s Head Tavern, where the Gwyneddigion Society used to meet, the source of the following rhyme:

 

In Walbrook stands a famous Inn
Near ancient Watling Street
Well stored with brandy, beer and gin,
Where Cambrians nightly meet.

Another of the pubs that used to be used by the societies was the George and Vulture, which still exists and was later used by the Pickwick Club and now houses Dickensian memorabilia.

 

Outside the George and Vulture

 

 

 

 

 

Iolo Morganwg was one of the main founders of the Gwyneddigion Society,  but he was also a member of the Cymmrodorion and he organised an assembly of bards on Primrose Hill in 1792.  We also heard about prominent Welsh leaders who campaigned against slavery, and saw a recent art installation commemorating the abolition of slavery.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries many of the prime movers behind the creation of the University College of Wales, the National Library of Wales and the National Museum of Wales were London Welsh. The National Eisteddfod was twice held in Westminster, at the Albert Hall in 1887 and in 1909.

Navy OfficeWe were wandering in Pepy’s territory now, with St Olave’s Church, where he worshipped and was buried opposite the Navy Office where he used to work. (Richard Morris, one of the main founders of the Cymmrodorion Society, worked as a clerk in the Navy Office in Seething Lane’)

 

We ended our tour at a pub called’ The Hung Drawn and Quartered’ which is not that old, but was named after a quote from Pepys (see photo).

We enjoyed mini pies and mash, but had to follow in the old Societies’ habits with glasses of beer and wine!

Thanks to Caroline for an exceptionally enjoyable walk.

 

More photographs can be seen here.

Jack Absolute Flies Again

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On Thursday 6th October, over 15 members of CDWS had a cultural evening – we went to see the an ‘as live’ showing of ‘Jack Absolute Flies Again’ from the National Theatre at the Everyman in Gerrards Cross.

It is based (very loosely) on Sheridan’s play ‘The Rivals’, but set in the 1940’s Battle of Britain. The play features the famous Mrs Malaprop – played brilliantly by Caroline Quentin, whose use of the wrong words was particularly risqué in this rendition.

Golf Day 2022

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Friday 19th August was a fine day for playing golf. It is fair to say that the golf played on that day at Oaklands Park Golf Club by the members of the Chiltern Welsh was rather less than fine, but it was enjoyable nevertheless.

Nine players arrived in good time to enjoy coffee and a bacon roll, and to be allocated into three teams of three for a competition over the 18 holes. As the last team holed out on the 9th green before moving on to the 10th tee, we were joined by Gwyneth Herrington who completed the last nine holes at Oaklands for the first time. Gwyneth managed to outscore two of our team over the back nine, but we were unable to count those points unfortunately. Not that it would have made a difference to the overall team results.

The first team home, of Jane Morris, Brian Evans and Rob Britton, were the clear winners recording 93 points. The other teams, of Pam Britton, Eryl Morris and Alan Longshaw, and of Alun McCarthy, Rob Brett and Gwyndaf John, scored much the same with 80 and 82 points respectively.

Individual honours fell to Rob Britton for the longest drive, and to Alan Longshaw for nearest the pin.
Alun recorded the day’s highest individual points score, with Eryl also recording an above par individual score of 37 points.
This was Alun’s first round of 18 holes on a full-size course. He only started playing the game upon his retirement last year, and had only played on a short “par 3” course previously. But his high score ensures that he will not enjoy such a generous handicap at our next Golf Day!

After the playing exertions, 18 gathered for the lunch afterwards and tucked into a main course of salmon followed by dessert of lemon tart. It was a particular pleasure to see Helen Hall there, on a trip out from the Care Home she has recently moved into at Chorleywood. She was brought along by Ann Lawrence, who was herself looking remarkably well after her recent operation.

The winning team were congratulated on their triumph and presented with a prize of three bottles of wine. Rob thanked Gwyndaf for organising the event, though Gwyndaf pointed out that Rob himself had been the key contact with the Golf Club.

Gwyndaf John

Summer Lunch 2022

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Sunday 3 July 2022, Chiltern Welsh Society: Summer Lunch.

Venue: Di & Colin Thomas’ Windsor Road, Gerrards  Cross.

Yet again the weather made its usual contribution to a most convivial get together. The gazebos were all in place and looked their sturdy best- thanks to Alan Longshaw and his team. Some 45 guests were quickly catching up on the major issues of the day – especially how Wales were robbed by an over zealous Georgian, – yes Georgian, referee, in their opening Test Match in South Africa. Covid continues as a subject of note, & indeed there were a few casualties on the day, – including our President- Ann Evans; get well soon Ann.

Colin Picton welcomed everyone, including a few new members. Good to see new faces and that they were all such help in the removal of tables and chairs- thank you & well done. As usual the meal was excellent and provided with a smile from the Company of “ To Dine For” ; in your absence Stephanie- they all did you proud. Colin & Di were enthusiastically thanked for hosting the event and looked most pleased with gifts of bouquet of flowers (for Colin) and a bottle of Barolo ( for Di) – only joking !

The rustic garden with mulberry tree, – plus apples and pears gradually ripening from their infancy added an appropriate background to a relaxing afternoon. The camaraderie was wonderfully evident and was most suitable for the 22nd Summer Lunch of the Society.  The day was a real success as it was efficiently managed, in both preparation and delivery, by Kay Day .

The Committee is to be congratulated . Da iawn.

Gwyn Owen

Pictures – courtesy of Colin Picton – there are more to see here.

2022 AGM

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22nd CDWS AGM on Friday 20th May 2022

People started arriving from about 7pm and in total there were 31 members in attendance.

Members at the AGMChairman Colin Picton started meeting at 7:30 with apologies for absence. There were 16 in total including committee members Ann Evans, Ann Lawrence and Kay Day. Colin expressed the feelings of all members in sending best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ann Lawrence who is in hospital.

The approval of the Minutes of the 21st AGM was proposed by Barrie Reece and seconded by Sue Jones.

Chairman’s Report
Colin gave his Chairman’s report, starting with saying how good is was to be able to greet everyone personally this year rather than having to rely on a Zoom meeting as occurred in the previous 2 years.

CDWS Members at 2022 AGMColin then introduced a slide show of photographs illustrating the history of the society over the past 22 years, with almost 900 photos, which continued to roll over the whole evening. It was a little disconcerting to some to see themselves age by 22 years over the course of one night!

Colin reviewed the events of the past year, starting with the Summer Lunch, which in 2021 occurred twice. The first occasion was held in July at Peter and Beth Sykes-Johnston’s home in Gerrards Cross, but due to Covid restrictions, the numbers were limited.  So, in order to give more people a chance to attend, a second lunch was held in September at Ernest Morris’s house in Chesham Bois. We have to thank the generosity of our hosts in letting their home be used for these occasions.

At the end of August, Gwyndaf John and Rob Britton organized the annual golf day at Oaklands Park, won this year by Pam Britton.

In December Ralph and Margaret Broomby hosted our Christmas Drinks event at their home in Chesham Bois.  Again, due to Covid, we were not sure that this event would go ahead, but in the end, it was a convivial and cheering event with canapes provided by ‘To Dine For’.

January saw a return of Jonathan Pegler’s Quiz Evening. Unfortunately, due to a rise in Covid numbers, this had to be another Zoom based event, without the usual food, but it was still up to the usual standard in terms of fun and difficulty.

This was Jonathan’s last quiz as he is stepping down from the committee to concentrate on his musical pursuits. Colin thanked Jonathan for the preparation and hard work he has put into his quizzes and trips over the years.

March saw a return to normal with our St David’s Day Dinner being held at Gerrards Cross Golf Club. Over 70 members enjoyed a delightful dinner in the refurbished venue, followed by a great selection of operatic and Welsh songs performed by the first-class mezzo soprano Angharad Rowlands.

In April Gwyndaf and Janet John led our Spring Walk to explore the wild flowers around Coleshill. As they are such experts in the matter, we learnt a lot and finished the morning with a pub lunch at The Red Lion.

Colin then said that the next event will be the 2022 Summer Lunch, returning to the kind hospitality of Diane and Colin Thomas in Gerrards Cross.

Barrie Reece proposed the acceptance of The Chairman’s Report, seconded by Kate Picton.

Membership
Colin said that Membership numbers stand at 110, a slight drop over last year.

Financial Report
Jonathan Pegler presented the Financial Report for the last time. For the year ending 31st March 2022, assets were approximately £3,000. Jonathan explained that annual income from subscriptions comes to between £1,100 and £1,200 and that our main costs are for about £800 in insurance, printing and the web site, leaving about £400 to be used as subsidies for our events, but, as a whole, events are self-funded. He concluded that the Society is financially sound.

Colin appealed to the membership for a person to fill the role as our new treasurer, with Jonathan explaining that the work was not onerous and no financial qualification was necessary. In the meantime, David Powell will stand in for the role.

Election of Officers
Colin then came to the election of officers to the Society. Ann Evans is Life President and as such is not elected. Election of the other officials was as follows:

Position Name
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Minutes Secretary Merle Davies
Treasurer Vacancy
Membership Secretary Ann Lawrence
Secretary
Committee Members Kay Day
David Powell
Ruth Huckle

 

Colin presented a bottle of wine to Jonathan. Sue Jones proposed a vote of thanks for all the work that Jonathan has contributed over the years. Colin said that Jonathan has contributed an awful lot to the Society, not only as Treasurer, but compiling and hosting quizzes, the organization of trips to Wales and other places, and his stint as past Chairman.

As Colin brought the formal part of the evening to a close, Ann Tennant appeared through the serving hatch to announce that the evening’s supper was ready.

There was a choice of cooked ham & broad beans or chicken & mushroom as the main course followed by a selection of deserts: rhubarb fool, orange tart, chocolate mousse or a plate of cheeses. As usual, Ann’s food was delicious and generous.

Throughout the meal we were entertained by the continuing backdrop of photographs of events through the years.

The evening concluded with Barrie Reece taking to the piano to play some well-known Welsh songs and to lead the singing.

The evening finished at around 10pm.

Well done to those who helped organize the event, especially to Kay and Ann who could not attend in person.

CDWS Saint David’s Day Dinner 2022

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Friday 4th March

The dining room at GXGC

It was so lovely to see everyone in the flesh again! All those Zoom meetings that we’ve had since St David’s Day 2020 were a good way to stay in touch, but not like the real thing, and what a turnout!  – There were 79 of us in total and it was lovely to see new members and guests as well as old friends. We had all been warned beforehand, that due to Covid we should all have had Lateral Flow Tests before we went.

Gwyn Owen and Jonathan Pegler
Maldwyn, Ann and Margaret

This year our St David’s Day Dinner returned to Gerrards Cross Golf Club. The club house has had a real face lift since we were last there – the interior has been renovated and it looks very smart.  The bar and the dining room were festooned with Welsh flags. People started arriving at 6:30 and were greeted with a drink, giving people time to circulate around the bar, meet old friends and catch up.

Martin Hillary, the GX Manager was very helpful in making suggestions and putting up all the flags.

By 7:15 people were ushered into the dining room, where a table plan assigned them to their places. The tables were decorated with lovely floral displays of daffodils created by the ladies of the committee. Barrie Reece had printed the place names at the table to include the menu choices that people had made – just in case we’d forgotten – and had produced a programme for the evening.

When we had all found our allocated places our Chairman, Colin Picton, welcomed us to the evening and Gwyndaf John said grace.

Then the food started to arrive. For starters we had made the choice between tomato and garlic soup, smoked salmon mousse or asparagus with poached egg.  I had the asparagus and was pleasantly surprised that the poached egg was just right with a really runny yolk, which was quite an achievement when catering for so many people.

Main course was a choice of seabass, lamb shank, or a traditional Welsh cawl. My lamb shank was substantial and very tasty. While we were at the tables, Barrie Reece was touring the room with his camera taking lots of pictures (see more photos here).

Dessert choices were spiced oranges with orange sorbet, chocolate torte with fresh raspberries or a selection of Welsh Cheeses. I went for the cheese option and the cheeses were excellent and so generous that I could not finish them, though I had heard that the spiced oranges disappointed.

After coffee, Colin introduced our guest singer for the evening, Angharad Rowlands a Welsh Mezzo Soprano, accompanied by Iain Ledingham.

Angharad is at the Royal Academy of Music, studying on scholarship for a Master of Arts in Performance. A native Welsh speaker, Angharad grew up singing in the Welsh folk tradition, competing regularly in the National Eisteddfod of Wales. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2019, and this year Angharad will join Royal Academy Opera.

Iain Ledingham is a familiar figure to many of us, a professor in the piano, vocal and opera faculties at the Royal Academy of Music, and founder of the Amersham Festival of Music. We are very grateful to Iain as the source of so many of the very talented musicians who have performed for us over the years.

Angharad spoke quite softly, but that all changed when she started singing and she could really produce some power to her voice.

Angharad’s repertoire included a number of traditional songs with arrangements by Benjamin Britten, followed by works by Mozart, Bizet and Handel. The music then turned to a Welsh theme with Mae Hiraeth yn y Môr and Gwynfyd, and lastly Calon Lân, for which everyone joined in.

Jonathan Pegler then took to the keyboard and played the National Anthem, led by Angharad.

Colin thanked our performers and Ann Evans presented Angharad with a bouquet, while Iain received a bottle of wine from Jonathan.

Due to Covid restrictions, the committee decided not to finish with our traditional singing, but turned to our friends to say goodbye. Hopefully we shall have another opportunity for singing in the near future!

Thanks to all those involved in the planning and execution of our St David’s Day Dinner!

Barrie Reece took a lot of pictures at the event – see more of them here

Quiz Night 2022

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Our 2022 Quiz Night was held on 21st January, and as with last year, it was a virtual event. Unfortunately, this meant that there was no fish and chips.
Jonathan Pegler had devised the quiz and hosted it over Zoom all the way from Porthcawl. Screen image of 2022 Quiz
In total there were 5 teams of either 5 or 6 members battling it out to try to answer some pretty fiendish questions set by Jonathan. I think that in terms of difficulty I would put this quiz somewhat between ‘University Challenge’ and ‘Only Connect’.

Jonathan started the quiz at 7pm. First, we were divided up into 5 teams each named after a colour in Welsh. I noticed that the members of last years winning team were split up to give other teams a chance!

Jonathan had already given us the questions and answers, but the files were all password protected so that we couldn’t access them until he gave us the code.
Each team was given a separate virtual ‘breakout room’ so that they could discuss the answers without being overheard by the other teams.

There were 6 separate rounds of questions with themes such as trying to identify obscure European languages (I didn’t even know that there was a Galician language), Science, opening lines from books, plays or music, Geography, Miscellaneous and General Knowledge – 70 questions in all.

From the start it was clear that Team Glas (Blue) was the team to watch, as they won each of the early rounds, and as the evening progressed their lead increased. The team comprised of Lloyd and Pamela Jones, Liz Seely and Rob Brett and Ruth Huckle.

We finished a bit later than expected, and Jonathan revealed the scores – Team Glas were the runaway winners scoring 102 out of a possible 115, but the other teams had all done creditably, with an average score of 78 or about 68%, so it was not Jonathan’s toughest quiz (apart from Round 1).

The results are shown below (note this is for the 2022 Quiz not the 2021 one)

2022 Quiz Scores
We congratulated the winning team (no prizes this year) and thanked Jonathan for his hard work in preparing, hosting, scoring as well as acting as chief technician in running the Zoom meeting and breakout rooms.
Let us hope that we will be able to meet in real life for our future events.

PS I have attached the Questions and Answers below, so if you want to either take the quiz yourselves or just check some of the answers, please click on this pdf file:

Questions and Answers