Welsh Society Celebrates St. David's Day
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - Members of the Vancouver Welsh Society gathered in the Red Dragon on the evening of March 1 to celebrate St. David's Day. The following Saturday, March 4, a more formal gathering was held at the Cambrian Hall for the Annual St. David's Day dinner.
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THE CAMBRIAN CIRCLE SINGERS dressed in traditional costumes performing in the Red Dragon on the evening of St. David’s Day.
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The main entertainment in the Red Dragon was provided by the Cambrian Circle Singers, conducted by Nerys Haqq. Dressed in their traditional Welsh costumes the group entertained the audience with Welsh songs and other popular favourites.
Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones led the prayer and toast to St. David, followed by the reading in Welsh by Neville Thomas of the poem Os Wyt Gymro (If You Are Welsh) by poet Eifion Wyn, together with an English translation read by David Llewelyn Williams.
David later joined with John Pritchard in presenting submissions to the E-steddfod, a literary competition conducted via the internet. The humorous content of many of the submissions established a light-hearted tone for the evening.
President Jane Byrne later presented inscribed commemorative tankards as tokens of the Welsh Society’s gratitude to Barrie Hancock for his efforts in raising funds and to Allan Hunter for his contribution in supervising the repairs to the Cambrian Hall roof. The evening concluded with traditional Welsh refreshments and socializing.
At the St. David’s Day dinner on March 4, the guest of honour was Andy Newlands, Deputy British Consul-General in Vancouver, who presented the toast to Her Majesty the Queen.
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THE DEPUTY BRITISH CONSUL-GENERAL Andy Newlands is shown here (centre) with Eifion Williams (left) and David Llewelyn Williams (right).
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Newlands also read a message from the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, Rhodri Morgan. In his message, Morgan took pride in the opening of the new Assembly building in Cardiff, describing it as “a beacon of modern architecture around the world.”
The traditional greetings sent by kindred Welsh Societies from many parts of the world were read out by Eifion Williams. There were also congratulatory messages to the Vancouver Welsh Society from Governor-General Michaelle Jean, Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan.
The Toast to Canada was presented by Dr. Irene Evans, who recounted the successful experiences of friends and acquaintances who had chosen Canada as their home. In his Toast to Wales, David Llewelyn Williams told the story of Evan and James James of Pontypridd, the father and son who 150 years ago, as an expression of their patriotism, composed the song that would become the Welsh National Anthem.
A well-received musical interlude was provided by harpist Helen Siemens and violinist Zelko Krakan, followed by community singing led by Lynn Owens-Whalen. Many of the celebrants then adjourned to the Red Dragon for further socializing in a convivial atmosphere.
President Jane Byrne thanked the caterer, Jordan’s, for the excellent dinner and also Heather Davies and Gaynor Evans for their efforts in organizing and staging the event.
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