Cymdeithas Hanes

THERE was an excellent attendance at the January meeting, the annual Welsh lecture, with Sian Jones providing simultaneous translation for non-Welsh speakers. All were welcomed by Selwyn Walters before everyone was asked to stand for a minute’s silence in memory of Marian Roberts, a faithful member who passed away in December. The speaker for the evening was Morfudd Slaymaker, a member of Cymdeithas Hanes Llambed, who has strong connections with Patagonia. Her topic was the 150th an-niversary celebrations that took place in 2015. Morfudd’s great-aunt and her husband emigrated to Patagonia in 1875, 10 years after the original settlers, and although links had been lost for some years, that was restored in 19, finding 43 rela-tives there. Many students from Patagonia have come over to Wales to enrol on Welsh courses, Lampeter University being prominent in this field, and numerous young-sters having benefitted from the welcome they received into Morfudd’s home. Over the past 20 years, Morfudd has visited the Wladfa 10 times and has been honoured by the eisteddfod there by being welcomed as a member of the Gorsedd for her continued work with their students. By means of a PowerPoint presentation, Morfudd retraced the functions she attended throughout Wales and over the border during 2015, concluding with her visit to Patagonia and their eisteddfod in November. The chairman thanked Morfudd for a most interesting evening, also thanking Elma Phillips and Gwynfor Lewis for their technical help and Sian for her translation service. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 16 February, at 7.30pm at the Old Hall of the university, when Harriet Earis will be giving a history of the Welsh harp. All are welcome.