It was a very happy and relaxed afternoon, when 40 members and friends of the Tenby and Saundersfoot Cymrodorion Society met to celebrate Dydd Gwyl Dewi at their annual lunch on March 1. A bright, sunny morning continued into the afternoon, when at 12.30 pm, people began to gather at the Broadmead Hotel in Heywood Lane, for lunch at 1 pm. The ambience of the meeting was an indication of how much old friends enjoyed seeing each other and having an opportunity to chat/sgwrsio in the bars and conservatory in the 'iaith yr Nefoedd', prior to lunch being served. The chairman of the Cymrodorion, Mrs. Eluned Brown, gave a welcome to all, and said the grace 'yn Gymraeg'. The lunch itself was excellent and very much enjoyed. When the meal was coming to an end and coffee and Welsh cakes had been served, the president of the society, Mr. Islwyn John, invited guests to raise their glasses to toast our Patron Saint, Dewi. Afterwards, the secretary introduced the musical guest. Mrs. Rosalind Sharples, from Brynberian, plays several instruments and has fairly recently begun to play the harp. In her husband's large estate car, she brought her beautiful pedal harp to the hotel during the morning to 'set it up', together with a very small harp, which her five-year-old daughter is learning to play. Having done research into the history of the harp and harp music, Rosalind entertained with word and music from all the countries of Great Britain, some dating from hundreds of years ago. Her small daughter, Molly, played a short duet, 'Suo Gan', with Rosalind, at the beginning of her programme, and then Rosalind went on to play some of the most well-known pieces. This was very pleasant and interesting, as well as a different- from-usual presentation for the society members. At the end of the performance, the secretary gave the vote of thanks and invited the chairman, Mrs. Brown, to say a few words about the Flower Festival at St. Johns Church, and about the ladies of Cymrodorion Choir, led by Mrs. Phyl Williams, who would be singing at the Gymanfa Ganu on March 4. Finally, Mrs. Phyl Williams gave the note and everyone stood to sing 'Mae hen wlad fy Nhadau'. This was the end of the formal proceedings, but many remained chatting for a while. As Mr. Bruce Price, of Manorbier, had visited the hotel to tell about the very first issue of 'Dan y Landsker', y papur bro De Sir Benfro, released at 7.30 am that very morning, and to sell many of the first issue to members of the society there and then, people were able to go home and continue their Welsh day, by reading in Welsh - and indeed reading about their own society and its celebratory lunch in an article included in the paper and written by Mrs. Trevena Vincent, vice-chairman of the society. The next meeting of the society will be the AGM on Thursday, April 19, at 2.30 pm, at St. Johns School Room.
