NOSON LAWEN 2018

25thJanuary

BLACK SHEEP CHOIR

Stuart Anderson, Simon Royce, Dave Almond, Clive Bright, Peter Freeman, Brian Farmer, Gareth Williams, Jim Armishaw, Derrick Thomas (leader)

WELSH LANGUAGE LEARNERS GROUP

           SINA WILLIAMS LEADS THE WELSH LEARNERS WITH THEIR SKETCH "WAITNG FOR DAI"

      BRIAN & GWENNO UKULELES                          JIM ARMISHAW                                       DAI REECE

                      KEITH BYATT                                      GARETH  WILLIAMS                        PETER FREEMAN            

The 62 members and friends attending the traditional January Noson Lawen of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society were treated to a feast of entertainment. The concert began with the ukulele duo Brian Farmer and Gwenno Pope, playing The Wild Rover and Let It Be. Jim Armishaw read two poems he had entered in Eisteddfodau, Aelwyd Nain (Grannie’s Hearth) in 1953 and Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) in 1954. Keith Byatt played a delightful Walking In The Air on the piano, followed by Dai Reece who read an hilarious Ode To Ex-Rugby Players. Next to perform was Derrick Thomas’ popular Black Sheep Choir, which was formed many years ago specially for the Noson Lawen; Stuart Anderson, Simon Royce, Dave Almond, Clive Bright, Peter Freeman, Brian Farmer, Gareth Williams, Jim Armishaw and Derrick sang the haunting Fields of Athenry, followed by Working Man, a song about a Canadian coal miner, with Gareth as soloist. The first half ended with Peter singing All Through The Night, appropriately in the style of Paul Robeson who was a great supporter of the south Wales miners during the early 20th century recession.

Following delicious refreshments of tea and cakes, the Welsh Language Learners sang two songs and performed an amusing short play, Aros Am Dai (Waiting For Dai), led by Sina Williams. Clive Bright then sang two songs by Robat Arwyn; the beautiful Anfonaf Angel (Guardian Angel) and jolly Yfory (Tomorrow). Diane Moul read two contrasting poems about old age, one by Padraig Colm ,the other by Jenny Joseph. David Brown’s Indefinite Strings, (John Diamond, mandolin; Jeremy Hoyland, mandola; David, electro/acoustic bass; and Hillary camp, guitar) played an international medley of Welsh, French, Spanish and English songs. Dave Almond then sang a song which he said he had last sung in a competition 58 years ago, where he was the only competitor, and was awarded Second Prize. His performance at the Noson Lawen was certainly worthy of two first prizes! No Noson Lawen would be complete without a harp, and Buddug Rowland Frank delighted by playing a Welsh medley; Cader Idris; Llwyn On; Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn; Nos Galan; and Codiad Yr Ehedydd. She finished with an example of Min-Y-Mor in the “canu penillion” style, where the singer is accompanied by a harp playing a different tune. Finally, the Black Sheep sang again, this time a rousing I Bob Yn Sy’n Ffyddlon to the tune Rachie, and Elvis Pressley’s  gentle I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.

The one sad piece of news during the evening was that Elizabeth Peters, a well loved and loyal member, had died.

 JOHN DIAMOND, JEREMY HOYLAND, DAVID BROWN, AND HILARY CAMP

FORM THE "INDEFINITE STRINGS"   Copyright © Gwenno Pope

BUDDUG ROWLAND FRANK

         CLIVE BRIGHT                                                                      DIANE MOUL

THE BLACK SHEEP CHOIR