Dragon Tales
online
October 2009 - January 2010
Page 9
Gymanfa Flashbacks
Te Bach
by Donna Boyce
If
we’re talking about a WSCO gymanfa, then we also must mention the te bach:
I haven’t yet
identified the first Te Bach organized and overseen by Peggy Morgan Speakman
and Margaret Lloyd but Peggy said she started doing them after
working on the Tea Room at the 1998 National in Columbus (and wasn’t that just
the best Tea Room at any National ever?)
Prior to Peggy being part of the organizing team,
only desserts were offered – the finger/tea sandwiches that are now so popular
were Peggy’s idea and a new tradition was started.
Joan Bash and
Helen Davis stepped in next. Helen said she started making sandwiches
around the time of the 1998 National, worked with Peggy for 2 years, and then
continued with the organizing aspect. Joan remembers that, in addition to
making sandwiches, she was part of the organizing team for about 3-4 years.
I started overseeing the Te Bachs in 2004 and Helen
and Joan are still making the sandwiches, even through Helen’s bout with
lung cancer and Joan’s broken ankle a few years ago.
The foundation for our wonderful teas was set many
years ago and continues to be made possible by all the generous, helping hands –
those who plan and gather volunteers; those who set up and tear down; those who
shop, prepare and bring donations for the tables and serve; those who haul
supplies in and out and clean-up afterwards – the first tea wouldn’t have been
accomplished without them and neither will the next.
Te Bach
– the name
Many folks know that te bach means “little tea” but when did the Columbus
group start using that terminology?
The 1953 Fifth Gymanfa program calls the event a “Welsh Tea.”
The following year they tried something a little more ambitious and had a
“Fellowship Repast” – supper for $1 per plate.
The year following that it was back to Welsh tea and that name stuck for a
number of years.
Our files are missing programs for the late 1980s but by 1991 and the 42nd
Gymanfa the name had changed to Te Bach.
Tribute to James Hildreth
by John Davids,, CWSS
accompanist
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Jim
is a renowned organist, including being
the Organist at the Broad Street Presbyterian Church since 1987, and the
Organist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Jim has also been the organ
accompanist for the WSCO’s annual Gymanfa Ganu for many years and is
scheduled again for this year on 18 October.
Jim excels as a musician who interprets the written music and communicates
the underlying |
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message or theme as intended by the composer.
We consider Jim to be the WSCO’s
“Official” Organist, and we thank him and pay tribute to him for his
continuing involvement with and support of WSCO.
Editor’s Note: James Hildreth has been the
accompanist for WSCO events for at least 10 years – the 2001 Dragon Tales
pre-gymanfa article said “once again …featured accompanist” -- he
accompanied Gwawr and Dafydd Edwards at a St. David’s Day dinner and, in
2008, he and his wife (at the time, fiancée) Valorie Adams, were our
featured St. D. D. performers. |
1986 Columbus National
Market Place; Tea Room; no
seminars; tours on Friday; continuous entertainment on Friday and Saturday;
meetings on Saturday; church and Gymanfa sessions on Sunday
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1998 National
Superb music with the OSU Men’s
Glee Club, CWLWM (five very talented young women) and the 3 Welsh Tenors; fun
folk dancing workshops full of happy people; excellent cooking seminars, one of
which left Dianne Williams with a lasting friendship with people in Wales
who advised her for the Perfect Welsh Tea session; and the greatest Tea Room
ever – Peggy Speakman heard folks still talking about it at this
year’s NAFOW in Pittsburgh!
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