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Mary Ellen Morgan
The Welsh Society of Central Ohio held its 57th and best gymanfa ganu on Sunday, October 1, 2006, at the Central College Presbyterian Church with Dafydd Edwards and his daughters, Menna and Gwawr, as soloists. President Mary Ellen Morgan presided.
The beautiful church was filled and the congregation was in its very best singing voices as our own Lloyd Savage led us in Diadem, Aberystwyth, Cwm Rhonda, Calon Lan, and many of our favorite hymns. As Welsh tenor Dafydd Edwards pronounced “ the singing was far better than that heard in Wales today.” What a compliment to cherish!
Dafydd was in top form and never disappoints with his rich voice, and Gwawr captivated the audience with her seemingly effortless arias, folk songs, and several special requests. Perhaps one of the sweetest moments was seeing the pride that Dafydd has for both his outstanding daughters. Menna, an incredibly gifted accompanist, showcased her father’s and sister’s singing with her own innate ability to follow them, as they never sing a song the same way twice.
The three Cecil sisters, Gwen, age 10, Meredith, age 8, and Emily, age 6, touched all of us with their solemn observance of our In Memoriam part of the service as each carefully selected the best rose for each of those whom we’ve lost in the past year. They brought to mind young Evan Williams who also carried out this honor with such dignity a dozen or so years past.
Bob Donaldson closed the service with a touching benediction of his own composing, which spoke of the Welsh love of music, family, and heritage. Then James Hildreth, WSCO’s “official” and gifted organist, played a Welsh postlude after which we all repaired to Ballard Hall for a lovely te bach. Thanks to Donna Boyce’s careful and thorough organizing and her dedicated committee, the huge crowd was promptly served delicious refreshments, including tea cakes (teisan lap) and had a chance to visit with all of the artists.
Another special feature of the day was the release of the Dafydd Edwards family’s newest CD, “Tu Hwnt I'r Ser – Beyond the Stars”, which had not yet been released in Wales. The artists autographed the CDs and were delighted with the warm Columbus reception and with all of their extended Edwards/Brynele clan present.
A special diolch yn fawr to Bruce Davis, the chair of the event; Myron Cherry, who chaired all of the facilities details; and Evan Jones, the event co-chair, who kept us supplied with water even though the church had no water that day. Well done, gentlemen!
Mary Ellen Morgan
Looking for a good book to curl up with this winter? Find a comfortable chair, put your feet up and try a mystery with a Welsh setting or character.
Delve into medieval shenanigans with Owen Archer, a one-eyed Welsh spy for the Archbishop, by Candace M. Robb. The Apothecary Rose (1993); The Lady Chapel (1994); The Nun's Tale (1995); The King's Bishop (1996); The Riddle of St. Leonard’s (1997); Gift of Sanctuary (1998); A Spy for the Redeemer (2002); Cross-legged Knight (2003); The Guilt of Innocents (due January 2007) [UK]
Read about Evan Evans in a delightful series about a village constable in Llanfair, Wales by Rhys Bowen. Identified in the local vernacular as Evans the Law, you’ll also meet Evans the Post and Evans the Meat and all the other people who gather at the village pub, in addition to the church folks who don’t. Evans Above (1997); Evan Help Us (1998); Evanly Choirs (1999); Evan and Elle (2000); Evan Can Wait (2001); Evans to Betsy (2002); Evan Only Knows (2003); Evan’s Gate (2004); Evan Blessed (2005); Evanly Bodies (2006)
Michael McKenna, a Detective Chief Inspector in Wales, stars in this series written by Alison G. Taylor. Simeon’s Bride (1995); In Guilty Night (1996); The House of Women (1998); Unsafe Convictions (1999); Child’s Play (2001) [Canada]. Alison's VERY dark books are set in North Wales, dealing with such unsavory subjects as child abuse. Cops Mike McKenna and Dewi Prys aren't exactly the brightest, either. If I was living in the Bangor area, I'd be having nightmares.
Brother Cadfael, a Welsh Benedictine monk from Shrewsbury Abbey, first appears in A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters. A squabble over the bones of Saint Winifred in the mountain town of Gwytherin leads to murder, and Cadfael sorts it out. (Editor’s Note: This series contains nearly two dozen titles – to help sort out what comes next, check with the staff at your local library or use the online resource “What’s Next?” at http://www.kdl.org/libcat/WhatsNextNEW.asp)