A WORD FROM WALES
Soulful Welsh Singing lights up book launch
Helo gyfeillion. And welcome to the latest A Word From Wales newsletter.
A newsletter about selected events in Wales over the past week for the Welsh Diaspora, wherever they may be in the world.
This week will be covering a book launch by a 90 year old man whose life serves as a metaphor for the long and fascinating relationship between Wales and Liverpool- the nearest city for many Welsh people to this day.
We’ll also take a look at the Archbishop of Wales’s declaration that he is in favour of Welsh Independence. And talking of independence, we’ll also cover the fact that a home-grown film about the famous Welsh leader, Owain Glyndwr is currently in production.
John Medwyn Jones in full flow singing “Cof am y Cyfiawn Iesu” at the book launch.
Singing his way into people’s hearts
Invitees at a book launch at Aberystwyth on Saturday were treated to some inspirational singing all round.
“Y Sgowsar” tells the tale of John Medwyn Jones, who was born and brought up as a Welsh speaker in Liverpool, spending half his life in the city before actually moving to Wales to live.
And he was on fine form on Saturday, with a stunning rendition of the hymn “Cof am y Cyfiawn Iesu”.
John used to be a codwr canu ( singing starter) at the famous Princes Road Church in Liverpool, once referred to as the cathedral of "Welsh Non-Conformity”, and has been a member of many choirs over the years.
And the family and friends who had gathered together for the launch at Aberystwyth Llety’s Parc were left in no doubt about the power and resonance of that voice even though John is now 90.
Dafydd Williams, a relative of John’s, read out an extract from the book covering John’s three year stint as an evacuee in Wales during the second world war where he was cared for by his aunt in Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.
As a special surprise for John at the end of the book launch, Gwion Jones of Aberystwyth, who sings with the local group “Sgarmes”, came in to round off the proceeedings with a stirring rendition of another hymn, albeit a secular one this time, the famous “You’ll never walk alone”.
A very apt conclusion bearing in mind that John has been a lifelong supporter of Liverpool FC.
The Ghostwriter of “Y Sgowsar”, Aled Gwyn Job said it had been a privilege for him to work with John Medwyn to produce the book.
“John’s memory is second to none, and he is still very sharp and engaged with life at many levels, so I really enjoyed interviewing and interacting with him over a couple of months with the project’’ he said.
“I really admire him for keeping his strong Welsh identity alive despite living over half his life over the border, and I think that cultural resilience can be seen in his own personal resilience as an individual as well”.
“I really hope people will enjoy reading about John’s life, and will also enjoy it as a form of meditation about the nature of the Welsh identity in Liverpool as well”
Y Sgowsar is on sale for £7.99 and it will be sold in Welsh bookshops in due course.
“Y Sgowsar- Hanes Bywyd John Medwyn Jones” which was launched this week.
Archbishop puts his toe in the independence waters
The Archbishop of Wales, Andy John has declared he is in favour of Welsh Independence.
The Archbishop made his statement as part of an interview with a Welsh current affairs programme, saying that in view of the growing cost of living crisis and other problems in Wales presently, that independence was now the best solution.
Although he did stress that this was his own personal view rather than the official view of the Church in Wales as a whole.
His statement has been welcomed by the Independence movement in Wales who are keen to see further key players in Welsh civic life expressing support for the concept.
But, it will be interesting to see how his comments will be received by grass-roots members of the Church in Wales, which is quite often referred to as the “Church in England in Wales” in view of its traditionally lukewarm attitudes towards Wales and the language. As well as the fact that many of its members are incomers to Wales in addition to all that.
Some might also feel aggrieved that the Archbishop has come out in favour of such a policy position without having consulted with church members first.
As one commentator put it, you could well imagine a conversation in the pews yesterday( Sunday) along the lines of:
“Mavis- we didn’t come here for independence did we?!”
Nevertheless, the Archbishop is to be congratulated for initiating a conversation about independence in religious circles. Let’s hope that other denominations in wales can now follow his example.
Glyndyfrdwy- where the ancestral home of Owain Glyndwr once stood
Home-grown beats Hollywood every time!
Many people in Wales have been waiting and waiting for Hollywood to step up to make a film about the most famous Welshman of all, Owain Glyndwr.
Thinking perhaps that Wales can follow the example set by Scotland and the film “Braveheart” about the Scottish leader William Wallace, made by actor and director Mel Gibson.
But now, a home-grown budget film is going to be made here in Wales, without involving Hollywood in any shape or form.
“Moel yr Ogof” is now being produced by Welshman Alistair Corbett.
“It’s going to be an entirely independent film, made without any kind of budget( Just passion)” said Alistair, who also has a link to Scotland, through his Scottish Dad.
“One of the inspirations for making the film is to build on my own growing fascination with the story of Owain Glyndwr.”
“ It’s incredible really that I can’t recall Glyndwr’s name mentioned once throughout my school education. So, the film will seek to correct that injustice in one sense”.
The title of the film “Moel yr Ogof” refers to the historical tales about Glyndwr using the cave on Moel Hebog in Eryri as a hide-out during the 14 year war for independence between 1400 and 1414.
Alistair has already produced a trailer for the film and it is hoped the full film will be released some time this year.
Wel, dyna ni am wythnos arall!
We’ll see you all next week!
Aled