ST. DAVID’S DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21365, 8 March 1941, Page 6

ST. DAVID’S DAY

WELSH CELEBRATIONS DINNER AND SOCIAL The annual feast of St. David has been commemorated by Welshmen for hundred of years. Honoured as their Patron Saint, St. David, the I bard, typifies all that is held dear to the heart of the sons of “ Cyman,” art, folklore, and, above all, music. On St. David’s Day over a hundred members of the Waikato Welsh Society joined with their kinsmen all over the world in celebrating their national day in true Welsh fashion. The dinner at the Centreway Rooms, at which the usual toasts were honoured, was followed by a most enjoyable musical programme. The items were as follows: Chairman s address, Mr J. W. Jones; orchestral item, Mr McLachlin’s Orchestra; “ The Ash Grove,”

assembly; duet, “ Dear Cambria,” Mesdames Lithgow and Jones; elocution, Miss Rapps; cornet duet, Messrs H. Worth and F. Redmand; solo, “Adlais, y Dyddian Gynt,” Mrs Pickering Jones; musical monologue, Mr Vryn Evan; cello solo, Miss Yvonne McLachlan; memories of Welsh Village, Mrs Lithgow; solo, selected, Mr W. B. Williams; solo, “ Glory of the Sea,” Mrs J. Woods; solo, “ Two Little Words,” Mrs J. Woods; violin solo, ‘‘ Welsh Airs,” Miss Jean McLachlin; solo, Miss Rapps; recitation, “ Taffy Was a Welshman,” Mr Vryn Evans; duet, Mrs Lithgow and Mr Williams; community singing, leader, Mr W. Williams; “ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.” The Toast List In proposing the toast of the Patron Saint, the president, Mr J. W. Jones, invited all Welsh folk to stand together now, more than at any other time and to remain true to those traditions which are the sacred heritage of the Welsh. The following toast list was honoured:— 44 Wales,” Mr W. C. George; reply to the toast of 44 Wales,” Mr J. W. Jones; “The Visitors,” Mr H. T. George; reply by Captain W. S. Dingle; “The Waikato Welsh Society,” Mr Vryn Evans; reply, Mr W. C. Davies; “ The Ladies,” Mr Dan Pryce Jenkins; reply, Mrs Merchant. The guests were received by Mrs J. W. Jones, who wore a frock of midnight blue lace. t Among those present were:—Mesdames W. C. E. George, B. Kinson, W. C. Davies, A. M. Bryant, H. J. Bryant (all of Huntly), S. Merchant, B. Jaggard, M. Warren, W. Ruck, J. i Hardiman, S. Richards, J. Thomas, H. C. Perry-Taylor, J. Hedges, B. A. Boyt, E. G. Wheeler, A. Pryce Jen- ' kins, D. Thomas (Otorohanga), N. Lithgow, Vryn Evans (Waihi), G. ' Evans (Ngaruawahia), E. Wood, J. W. Dixon, L. C. Webb, H. Hall, E. Thomas, N. O’Shaughnessy, R. C. Clark (Oparau), A. McLaughlan, C. Jones. Misses E. Evans, A. Van Houtte, G. B. Powell, E. Jaggard, K. and A. E. j Hamer, T. Bryant (Huntly), K. and I H. Rapps, C. and Y. McLachlan, N. I Bryant, J. Hedges, B. Gardiner, G. ! Jenkins, J. McLachlan, C. Williams. ;