President's Day Lecture, 16 February 2008, Bangor
Dr. Jerry Hunter will be the guest lecturer at the National Welsh American Foundation Presdients' Day Lecture on the 16th of February at Bangor University. Dr. Hunter's topic is 'Welsh Washington, Welsh Lincoln'. The event will be chaired by Prof. Eric Sunderland. The lecture will be held on Saturday, 16 February 2008, 3:00 PM, Lecture Room 1, New Arts Building, College Road, Bangor. Admission is free to NWAF members. Non-members may make a donation at the door. Further Information (PDF format).
Douglas A. Bassett, Historian
On August 14th, 2007, the directors of the Welsh Board of the NWAFmet at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff to honour the efforts of Douglas Bassett as historian of the Foundation. Dr. Bassett has provided pamphlets to the organisation for many years in which he writes about the historical links between the location of the National Eisteddfod in that year to the Americas.
The 2005 pamphlet featured Eryri, with references to the work of Lewis Jones and Hugh Hughes (Caernarfon) and T. Love Jones (Llyn) during the mid and late 1800s to establish a Welsh colony.According to Douglas Bassett's work, although the idea for the colony was essentially a North American one, Patagonia was eventually chosen by a committee in Liverpool.
Bassett's pamphlets are distributed to members of the NWAF in Wales as one of the benefits of membership.
Tlws y Cerddor 2007
Wyn Pearson won the NWAF sponsored Tlws y Cerddor at the National Eisteddfod for the year 2007. Details of Pearson achievement for this prize will follow.
The Prize is given every year to a musician in Wales and is won by a composer for a piece of music which meets the competition's criteria.
A previous year's winner was Christopher Painter who composed a piece for between 3-8 musical instruments.
Slater Marching Band
2-7 April 2007: As part of its continuing support for young musicians and the cultural links between America and Wales, the NWAF in Wales contributed to the north Wales tour of the 150 member Bangor High School 'Slater' Marching Band from Pennsylvania, with its 150 supporters. The Band was in Gwynedd for a concert tour during the week of 2 -7 April.
Bryan Jones of the NWAF in Wales presented the Band with a donation toward their tour as well as a plaque to commemorate their visit.The performance itinery included parades and performances in Bangor, Llanberis Slate Museum Bangor Cathedral on the 2nd and 3rd, followed by performances at Harlech Castle and Caernarfon Castle on the 4th of April.
Since 1975, the Bangor (PA) Area High School Band has been the most visible aspect of the region's Welsh heritage. Their street marches, Men of Harlech and Captain Morgan's March have provided Americans with musical excellence with a distinctive Welsh flair. The Band has featured in several BBC broadcasts, the most recent being Huw Edwards's 'Star Spangled Dragon' which highlighted the many contributions made by Welsh immigrants to the United States.
The 'Tribute to Heroes Tour' in north Wales was also being sponsored by the Wales International Organisation (www.wales-international.org)
19 August 2006, NWAF Sponsored Concert in Brecon: The National Welsh American Foundation sponsored a charity concert at Christ Church, Christ College, Brecon. The concert was attended by over 60 guests, some from as far away as San Francisco, who were privileged to hear the Celtaidd Ensemble perform in the Chapel at Christ College. Also on the programme for the evening was an organ piece composed by Dr. Joseph Parry, the famous Welsh-American musician whose hymn tunes are sung worldwide. The concert was followed by a buffet in the College refectory.
19 Awst 2006, Cyngerdd yn Aberhonddu wedi'i noddi gan SCCA: Noddwyd y cyngerdd elusennol yn Nhgoleg Crist, Aberhonddu. Roedd dros 60 yn y gynulleidfa, gyda rhai wedi dod more bell â San Francisco. Bleser oedd gwrando ar Ensemble Celtaidd yn Nghapel Coleg Crist. Ar y rhaglen hefyd oedd perfformiad o ddarn organ gan Joseph Parry, y cerddor Cymreig-Americanaidd y cenir ei emynau ledled y byd. Cwblheuodd y cynerdd gan bwffe yn ffreutur y Coleg.
13-15 July, University of Wales, Swansea: 2006 International Conference on Welsh Studies:
NWAF Secretary (Welsh Board), Dulais Rhys, gave a lecture on the hymn-tune, 'Aberystwyth', and its composer, Dr. Joseph Parry. The conference was organized by the North American Association for the Study of Welsh Culture and History (NAASWCH).
13-15 Gorffennaf, Prifysgol Cymru, Abertawe: Cynhadledd Rhwngwladol ar Astudiaethau Cymreig: Cyflwynodd Ysgrifennydd SCCA (Bwrdd Cymru), Dulais Rhys, ddarlith ar yr emyn dôn, 'Aberystwyth' gan Joseph Parry. Trefnwyd y Gynhadledd gan y Gymdeithas Gogledd America ar gyfer Astudio Diwylliant ac Hanes Cymru (CGAADHC).
Aelodaeth / Membership Join Online | Ymaelodi Ar Lein
If you would like further information about the NWAF and would like to become a member, please contact the NWAF Secretary in Wales: Dulais Rhys, 9 St. David's Avenue, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 3DW. Phone: 01267 232338 or e-mail: post@nwaf-cymru.org.
