CAMBRIAN NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 3

CAMBRIAN NOTES.

The Christmas Party. Although held so short a time before Christmas Day, the attendance at the annual Christmas party for the children of members of the Cambrian Society on Saturday evening at the Jellicoe Hall was little less than the usual number. Several members had already left for the holidays and were missed. Still, over 70 children, many wearing pretty fanev dresses, and their parents, grandparents and friends were there. Miss Griffiths distributed paper caps which added greatly to the festive appearance. A huge Christmas tree in the centre of the hall was laden with clusters of balloons, which looked very pretty when the electric lights were turned on. After the singing of “God Save the King” and the Welsh National Anthem, all the guests joined in a grand march led by the president, Mr C. E. Jones, and Mrs Rogers. Three hearty cheers were given for the committee, and then Mrs Gwatkin, who at the last minute took Mrs Pollard’s place, who owing to indisposition could not come, helped Miss Bessie Pollard and Miss Vera Pollard to organise some enjoyable games. Miss Bessie Pollard played the piano for many of the games and all enjoyed a good romp. It is always a pleasure to the- older members to see the children, - who, it is hoped, will carry on the society in the future, enjoying themselves. Mrs Rogers, who for so many years has been connected with the society, presented each boy and girl with a large box of chocolates as they came up to the table in response to the president, who called out their names. Mr C. E. Jones gave each child a balloon, and suitable toys were provided for the babies by Miss Griffiths. Miss Morgan dispensed ice creams.

The children had supper at two long tables, gay with sweet peas, in the supper room, and the adults had tea and cakes in the hall. Mrs Hugh Williams assisted by Mrs Hetherington and Miss Roberts took charge in the supper room, and the president, Mr C. E. Jones, Mr and Mrs Gwatkin, Mrs Hamber, the Misses Griffiths, Pollard and Morgan entertained the children.

Among those who attended the party were:—The president and Miss Alice Jones, Mr and Mrs Rogers, Mr and Mrs Gaygill, Mrs Hetherington, Mr and Mrs Gwatkin and Evan, Mrs Hugh Williams and Dyfed, Mrs Hamber, Mrs Reeves and family, Mr and Mrs Joseph and family, Mrs J. G. Parry, Dilys and Browen, Mrs Kenna and family, Mrs Harding and family, Mr and' Mrs Pryce-Jones and family, Mr and Mrs D. S. Jones and family, Mr and Mrs Filey and family, Mr and Mrs Ernest Rogers and family, Mr and Mrs W. H. Moses and family, Mrs Long and famity, Mr and Mrs James and family, Mr 'John Williams and Miss Bessie Williams, Mrs Green, Mrs J. E. R. Smith, Mrs Allfrey and family, Mrs Philips, the Miss Griffiths (2), Pollard (2), Hill, Carpenter, Morgan and Davies, Mrs Cuddy, Mr John Evans, Mr George, Major Balkeley Wynn-Yorke, Mr Williams (Kaiapoi), Miss Lewis-Davies (Greymouth), Miss Roberts, and Mrs Ray.

A meeting will take place in Mr C. E. Jones’s office on Monday, January 14, to choose the hymns and make arrangements for practice for the Cathedral service on March 3. Members are asked to bring any friends who chn sing and are willing to join the choir, so as to make the number up to fifty or sixty. Mr C. E. Jones has kindly lent a room and piano for practices. Mr Owen has consented to train the choir and will play the organ. Hymns will be chosen, which have not been sung at the annual Cathedral service before. There is every indication that the service will be a very fine one. Notes.

It may be news to many that there is a t Cambrian Society in Africa, although, of course, many Welshmen may be there. The only brother of the writer of these notes has lived in South Africa for over fifty years and is a Boer War veteran. The Cambrian Society of East London have formed an Orpheus Male Voice Glee Party. With Mr Tom Harries, of Pontardawe as president, and Mr Haydn Matthews as conductor, a native of Pontygwaith, Rhondda Fach. and an ex-student of Cardiff University, and the Royal College of Music, London. He is a baritone.

,^f* S T t ,'V s k es * or a h a PPV Christmas to all Welsh folk in New Zealand. Few villages have a prettier name than the hamlet of the Red Roses in South Wales, but it is disappointing to know that the name has nothing to do with roses, but is derived from " Rhos," a Moorish fell. Near St David’s is a place called Iref Asser. Over 1000 years ago Asser was the tutor and friend of King Alfred, and he was born there, and the place has borne his name ever since The winding rivers, the bamboos and the rhododendrons in the vale of Festiniog cause it to be called the Willow Pattern Valley. Here it was that the poet and writer, Thomas Love Peacock, lived for two years and met the lady who became his wife) Jane Gruffydd—“ The lily of Carnarvon." The little silent, deserted village of Caerleon was once a great citv, the golden Isca of the Roman legions, golden for ever and immortal in the romances of King Arthur, and the Holy Grail and the Knights of the Round Table. This epitaph may be read in the little churchvard of Cwmyreglwys, near Dinas, dated 1805: “ The rose is red, the grass is green, The time is passed that I have seen Both Kings and Queens, they all must die, And turn to dust, as well as I.” There was a surplus of £25 2s 6d after all expenses connected with the recent successful social arranged for the combined Homeland societies at the Caledonian Hall. It was decided to allot £4 to each of the six societies, and to give the balance, £1 2s 6d, to the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund. This sum will be subsidised.