| The President, Shirley Moody, welcomed the 70 members and friends at the meeting of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society, "Croeso Yn Ôl", (Welcome Back) on 24 September. Shirley has nominated Myeloproliferative Disorders Support (MPD) as the Society's charity for her year of office. The leading experts in the UK on the condition, with about 100,000 sufferers, are Dr Claire Harrison of Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and Prof. Tony Green of Addenbrooks. Dr Harrison, who described herself as "a Welsh girl", addressed the meeting. She was introduced by Tim, a patient volunteer, who suffers from the condition. The bone marrow of a person with an MPD produces too many blood cells. There are three types of MPD, and many patients have no obvious symptoms. The most serious issue, causing complications, is increased "blood stickiness". Recent discoveries show that a genetic mutation is often involved, and research is aimed at developing drugs to block the mutant and halt the disease. For more information visit the web site www.mpd-support.co.uk The Vice-president, Jim Armishaw, thanked Dr Harrison for her excellent introduction to the aims of the charity. |
| September 2009 |
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| Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, (the National Eisteddfod of Wales) held in Bala in August, was attended by several members of the Society. Carys Williams gave an interesting account of the proceedings. The Eisteddfod is a massive celebration of Welsh culture in all its forms, over 9 days of keen but friendly competition: music, instrumental and voice; dance; poetry, recitation and composing; and crafts. Among the winners were several who have entertained in Chelmsford at the annual June concert, including: the male choir winners Maelgwn; solo Blue Riband winner Trebor Lloyd Evans; Elin Mai who gained sponsorship as the most promising young soprano. Brian Thomas, whose wit and scholarship never fails to entertain, chose as his topic a famous Welshman, the composer Dr Joseph Parry. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he worked in the pits and iron works as a child and emigrated to Pennsylvania at the age of 13. He became interested in music and was sponsored by Welsh Americans to study in London at the Royal College of Music. He was awarded a MusB by Cambridge University. He is best known for the hymn tune Aberystwyth and the haunting Welsh love song Myfanwy. He composed six operas, including the popular Blodwen. Jim thanked Carys and Brian for their contributions, the committee for providing the supper and Shirley and her husband Don for the wine. The topic for the meeting on 22 October is A Journey From Amsterdam Via Terzin, Cwmbran, to Chelmsford. On 14 November “The People Of The Green” will give a Charity Concert at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Roxwell at 7.30pm. Jim Armishaw |