ST. DAVID'S BAY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 11

ST. DAVID'S BAY

ANNUAL WELSH SERVICE IN CATHEDRAL Many Welsh residents of Christchurch took part in the annual Welsh service held in ths Christchureh Cathedral on Sunday citernoon. on the first Sunday after St. David's Day. The preacher was the Rev. W. p. D. Davies, cf St. Albans. Mr R. Owen was the organist, and Mr H. Glnysher played occasional ajusie and accompaniments on the Welsh harp. Two solos were sung by Madame Gower Burns, "The Dream" (Tschaikowsky). and the Lord's Prayer (Melotte). Lessons in Welsh were read by Mr R. H. Williams (Isaiah, 55), and Mt J. G. Parry, president of the Cambrian Society (St. Matthew, 7). The service was taken by the Rev. Owen Williams. The following hymns were sung by the specially-trained Welsh choir:— "Ebenezer," "Sanctus," "Garphwsfa," "Caerllyngeod," and "Can Moliant." The service began with the National Anthem and concluded with the Welsh Anthem. The preacher emphasised that the emotional and mental characteristics cf the Welsh had marked not only their own history, but the wider history of the whole British race, with whom their blood had mingled. He sounded a call to his listeners to make renewed contribution to real religion, as Wales had held up the lamp of the faith for nearly 2000 years. A substantial collection was allocated to the society's benevfle;;: fund. Annual Welsh Banquet About 300 members were present at the annual Welsh banquet of the Cambrian Society on Saturday evenToasts were:—"The King," "Wales,*' proposed by the president, and "The Visitors," proposed by Mr R. H. Williams. Items were given by Mrs Caygill and junior members (Welsh airs); Misses Chapman, Kennedy, and Mr Rogers (trio); Miss Caygill, and Miss Pollard. , After the singing of the Welsh National Anthem the gathering concluded with the singing of the hymn Rhondda. Among those present were Mrs Travers-Hcmber, the foundation secretary of the society. CAMBRIAN SOCIETY ST. DAVID'S DAY CELEBRATED Members of the Cambrian Society and their Mends celebrated St. David's Day with a banquet held in the Navy League Hall. There was a record attendance. The toast of St. David was proposed by the Rev. W. E. D. Davies, who referred to the Welsh characteristics of high ideals and tenacity in furthering them. The toast was followed by the singing of 'St, David's Day," the sola.

being sung'by Mrs E. CaygiflTand the Welsh chorus by the junior members. The toast of "Wales" was proposed by the president. Mr J- G. Parry, who said that St. David's Day provided Welshmen in Wales and those scattered in various parts of the Empire with an opportunity for reunion. Mr Parry mentioned names well known in Christchurch—Bryndvvr. Glandovey, Snowdon, Plynlimon, Idris. etc. —wbicn showed that, some Welshmen among the early colonists wished to be reminded of their native land, and had perpetuated in these names, an association which would gladden the hearts of loyal Welshmen for all time. The toast to the visitors was proposed by Mr R. A. Williams, and wps responded to by the Owen Williams. The musical programme included piano solos by Miss Bessie Pollard and Miss C. Garin: songs. Mrs E. R. Caygill and Mrs D. Jones; trio, Misses R. Byron and M. Chapman, and Mr W. O. Wynn Evans; Welsh songs by the junior members; recitation. Miss D. Caygill.