Mongolian ambassador gets warm Welsh welcome

Pupils at Prendergast School made a special effort when they received a VIP recently.

They took the trouble to find out the spelling of the world ‘welcome' in Mongolian so that they could offer a friendly greeting to that country's Ambassador when he visited the school.

His Excellency Bulgaa Altangerel was in Pembrokeshire with his wife, Mrs Erdenee Chuluuntsetseg, to attend a concert organised by Soroptimists International (SI) of Fishguard and District.

One of the organisation's members, Sally Francis - a former headteacher at Mount Airey School in Haverfordwest - is working as an educational advisor with Voluntary Services Overseas in Mongolia.

Her Soroptimist colleagues in Fishguard offered to organise the concert as part of an International Evening to raise funds for the children of the Twelfth School in Darkhan - Mongolia's second city.

Aged between six to 16, their parents are nomadic herders whom they only see a few times a year. Some are orphans and they all live at the school where conditions are basic in the extreme with little or no play equipment.

Both His Excellency and his wife were delighted to visit Prendergast School and meet the pupils.

Earlier they had been guests of Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Anne Hughes, in County Hall.

There they met the Mayor of Fishguard, Councillor Gwilym Price and Mrs Price, and the President of the SI Fishguard and District, Pat Roblin and her Soroptimist colleagues. Jordan Evans, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly, was also present.

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Carwyn commits to the "Wales for Africa" programme

"I will build on Rhodri Morgan's proud record on Wales’s contribution to fight poverty and inequality in Africa" - that was the pledge made today by Welsh Labour Leadership candidate, Carwyn Jones, following a meeting with a leading charity worker and doctor campaigning to make birth safer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Carwyn made his remarks when he met Cardiff-based midwife, Angie Gorman, who runs the Hope for Grace Kodindo Trust and Sierra Leonean medic, Dr. Michael Tetti in Cardiff today.

Ms.Gorman established the charity after seeing a BBC 'Panorama' programme about the number of women in Chad, who die from eclampsia in childbirth as a result of not having access to inexpensive doses of magnesium sulphate.

Since 2006, with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales for Africa' programme, Angie has worked in Chad, training midwives getting supplies of magnesium sulphate into the country to help pregnant women.

She has also extended her work to cover Liberia, Somaliland and more latterly, Sierra Leone - one of the most poorest countries in the world.

The life expectancy for women in Sierra Leone, is around 42 years and less than half of pregnant women are attended by a suitably experienced birth attendant. The maternal mortality lifetime risk at 1:7, is currently the highest in the world.

However, since Angie Gorman teamed up with Michael Tetti, the pair have dramatically reduced maternal mortality rates in the country and during a visit to the Senedd, met with Carwyn to discuss the progress they have made, thanks to the help of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Following the meeting, Carwyn paid tribute to the work undertaken by Angie and Michael in Sub-Saharan Africa, saying:

"I am proud of Wales' role in helping dedicated people like Angie and Michael, saves the lives of pregnant women in Africa. I know how valued and how far our aid money can go in helping the world’s poorest communities. As First Minister, I want to look at ways we can reduce the number of maternal deaths even further.

"It is clear, the Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales For Africa' programme is making a real contribution to help deliver the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to halve global poverty by 2015. That is why I will build on Rhodri’s proud record on Wales’s contribution to fight poverty and inequality in Africa.

"Likewise, on climate change, Wales is contributing to help developing countries understand and plan for the future. Climate change is a huge threat to the world's poorest countries and I want to see Wales' assistance to those nations, continued and strengthened into the future."

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All Saints Barry and St. Baruc’s and the Kiyombe Cow Scheme

There is an old Rwandan proverb which says ‘God travels round the world during the day but returns to Rwanda at night’. However, since the horrific genocide of 1994 when almost a million people were slaughtered within a 100 days while the world stood by and watched, Rwandan people have said, ‘God has forgotten his way home.’

Bad news sells newspapers and makes headlines. But the good news is that Rwanda is beginning to prosper. The hand of God can clearly be seen in the significant changes within the country. Ordinary people are forgiving those who have caused them unbelievable harm. There is repentance and forgiveness which is leading to reconciliation amongst many. More children than ever before are attending school; the infrastructure and roads are being built across the country. There is hope, as ’God has certainly not forgotten his way home’.

Life is very hard for most Rwandans who work on the land on family plots for about 1$ (70p) a day. This small country is one of the poorest on earth and the principal causes of mortality and morbidity in Rwanda remain communicable diseases. These illnesses can mainly be prevented through better hygiene and behavioural change. AIDS and malaria are rife.

However All Saints Church in Barry and St Baruc’s in Barry Island have formed a link since 2004 to a very poor community of widows and orphans in Rwanda. Rowan Hughes on behalf of the church has recently re-visited the community to offer further help.

Barry parishioners have sent out monies to help fund a scheme within the Parish of Kiyombe. The Kiyombe Cow Scheme operates by providing cows and calves to poor widows and orphans who are working on a geranium growing co-operative called ‘Ikirezi’ meaning precious pearl in Kinyarwanda. The cows provide much needed milk and good quality manure for fertiliser on their small plots of land. The cows are cross bred being 75% Friesian and 25% local breeds (Ankole); they will provide a high milk yield but will also have a good degree of disease resistance. Widows and orphans are helping to grow geraniums which are distilled to provide essential oils. This oil has many uses including anti mosquito properties which are vital in the battle against malaria which is the biggest killer in Rwanda. Many of those on the co-operative have now put their children in school, have health insurance and are building relatively better homes.

The Kiyombe Cow Scheme grows, as cows are artificially inseminated and new calves are handed onto other poor family groups when they are a year old. Over 20 cows have been either born or purchased via the scheme which has now been expanded to included a dry area in the East of the Country called Kibungo

Within Rwanda new churches are being built and they continue to grow strongly. Despite their hardships there is a great deal of faith and hope for the future. The level of Christian faith and belief in Rwanda is very high indeed and when Rwandans hear from some visitors from the UK that they ‘don’t believe in God’ they are very shocked.

When they said ‘Never Again’ after the Holocaust, was it meant for some people and not for others? Apollon Kabahizi

Do look at the website at www.barryallsaints.org.uk or get in touch with Rowan Hughes on rmh1958 2005@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

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WRU welcomes Olympics success

The Welsh Rugby Union has welcomed today's decision to introduce Rugby Sevens into the Olympic Games from 2016 as a major boost for sport in Wales.

The International Olympic Committee today met in Copenhagen and voted overwhelmingly in favour of including Sevens at the Rio De Janeiro games.

It means that Wales’ top men and women Rugby Sevens players will now be able to compete for places in UK squads which compete to bring the gold medals back to Britain.

The WRU’s Head of Rugby Performance and Development, Joe Lydon, said: “This is an important day in Welsh rugby history and certainly delivers a major boost to our Rugby Sevens ambitions.

“We are currently the world champions and this will ensure our players can focus on achieving on that new prize of an Olympic medal.

“The exposure Rugby Sevens will get from inclusion in the Olympics will draw many new people into the sport and that has clear benefits for the whole of Welsh rugby.

“We have an excellent international pathway structure in place here in Wales and now there is this new prize to compete for.

“A lot of people from Wales have striven particularly hard for this day, but I would like to single out the late Colin Hillman who worked tirelessly for Sevens rugby and would have been delighted at the decision taken today.”

The WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “This is an historic day for world rugby and the game here in Wales.

“We have already decided to focus hard on the Sevens game because it is such an key component of our elite structures.

“We are the world champions and within our new Participation Agreement with the four Regions Sevens Rugby is recognised as a priority for our best young players.

“In Wales we have the talent to compete with the best at Sevens and the lure of involvement in the 2016 Rio games will focus many of our youngsters on achieving the Olympic dream through rugby.”

The WRU Chairman, David Pickering, added:”The decision to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympics will help grow our game around the world.

“As more nations take up the rugby with serious ambition it will clearly benefit nations like Wales where the game is our national sport.

“Sevens is a fast and exciting sport which newcomers will quickly be able to appreciate and that appeal will draw more support into the fifteen a side game as well.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland, added: “Rugby will remember this day as the moment the development of the sport took a great leap forward on the World stage.

“Rugby has a proud tradition and many important competitions are contested around the globe in an already thriving sporting calendar, but the Olympic games is the biggest sporting event on the planet and will represent another level for the Sevens game.

“A new breed of supporters and future players will be able to sample the delights of rugby union and the development of the game will be boosted in the American, African, Asian, Oceanic markets, as well as the more traditional heartlands, ensuring that our sport continues to grow from strength to strength.

“The rugby world is not just excited by the prospect of competing in the Olympics, but also by the prospect of seeing what kind of impact a Great Britain rugby team intent on Olympic gold can make on the biggest stage of them all.”

Photograph: WRU chief executive Roger Lewis celebrates Sevens being included in the Rio Olympics.

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Company to tour China as cultural ambassadors of contemporary Wales

National Dance Company Wales (NDCWales), formerly Diversions, will build on its growing reputation on the international stage by making its debut tour to three cities in China in October.

The flagship arts company will travel in South West China for 10 days, enhancing its position as one of the nation's most active international touring arts organisations

Artistic Director Ann Sholem will take the company's 10 hand-picked dancers and technical team to the South West China cities of Kunming, Chengdu and Chongqing. In Chongqing, a region which celebrates a number of successful cultural connections with Wales, the Company will perform at the city's new Grand Theatre.

This unique opportunity made possible by the British Council will introduce new audiences in South West China to contemporary dance from the UK and build on opportunities for cultural exchange in the region.

National Dance Company Wales South West China tour has been organised by the British Council with support from Wales Arts International, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Chongqing Culture Bureau.

The programme for the tour will be two dances from the current repertory created at NDCWales' home, the Dance House at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

Hinterland by Company associate artist and co-founder Roy Campbell-Moore will also bring the music of Alun Hoddinott to Chinese audiences as Hinterland is set to music by the late Welsh composer using recordings by BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

The second dance is a new work currently being created in Cardiff by Andonis Foniadakis. This is the Company debut by the Greek choreographer.

Ann Sholem said: "Being invited to represent Wales and perform during the opening festival of the Grand Theatre in Chongqing is a great honour for the Company. We are also excited about taking the work through the region to Kunming and Chengdu. I'm sure the Chinese audiences will love the two pieces we are presenting as they both display the extraordinary technical virtuosity and charisma of the dancers."

Director of the British Council Chongqing, Sarah Deverall, also reflected her excitement about the tour: "We are delighted to welcome National Dance Company Wales to China, especially as they will be the first performing arts company we have brought to the new Grand Theatre in Chongqing and to audiences in the cities of Chengdu and Kunming. An innovative and award winning contemporary dance company, NCDWales will make a unique contribution to our cultural relations work. Many special cultural links have already been formed between Wales and Chongqing and this collaboration will build on these foundations to increase opportunities for exchange and collaboration in the future with our partners."

Welsh Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said: "This first visit to China by the Company is an excellent example of collaboration between the British Council, Wales Arts International, the Welsh Assembly Government and NDCWales. The Company's verve and sense of adventure meant they did not hesitate in accepting this creative and logistical challenge. I consider that we are lucky to have such a spirit of collaboration and partnership in Wales, and I am sure that audiences in China will be thrilled with the work of NDCWales. The Company will be excellent ambassadors for the contemporary face of Welsh arts and culture on the world stage."

The visit to China will follow the first stage of the Company's autumn tour in Wales and England. On their return the season continues with performances in three UK capital cities, Cardiff, London and Edinburgh.

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Earn extra cash hosting Euro students in Denbighshire

Host families are needed to provide a temporary home to European students taking part in the successful Leonardo da Vinci work exchange programme.

The scheme is run in North Wales by Llangollen-based ECTARC (European Centre for Training and Regional Co-operation) and offers three month placements for students from Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Students have taken on many roles, including working in a press office, radio station, laboratory and other industries. They also spend time at the ECTARC centre improving their English speaking skills.

Students could stay with hosts for a period ranging from a week to three months. ECTARC pay £60 a week for self-catering and £105 a week for providing full board accommodation.

Host families must live in main towns such as Ruthin, Wrexham or Bangor, with accessible bus services.

Diane and Keith Potts have hosted guests since 1993.

They said: "We have been lucky with the students over the years. Being a host family gives us a unique opportunity to get to know somebody from another country, making it a rewarding personal experience. For further information, please contact ECTARC on 01978 861514 or e-mail: ectarc@denbighshire.gov.uk More information can also be found on the website: www.ectarc.com

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WRU urge support for Samoa disater relief

Welsh rugby fans are being urged to use the forthcoming visit of the Samoan national rugby squad to Wales as a focus for helping the victims of the Tsunami which has struck the Pacific Island.

The Welsh Rugby Union is planning to use the match to highlight the plight of the islanders in a bid to encourage support for the relief operation.

Rugby fans arriving at the Millennium Stadium on November 13 will also be asked to contribute cash to bucket collections which will be donated to a charity or charities raising disaster funds.

The WRU is also liaising with the International Rugby Board and Samoan rugby officials to discover what other help can be delivered through the focus on the November international.

Officials from the WRU will be liaising with relief charities to seek advice on how the fans of Wales can deliver help. Information gathered during this process will be shared through the WRU official website in the weeks leading up to the game.

The WRU has been in touch with the Samoan Rugby Union and the IRB since the disaster and despite the devastation in Samoa and surrounding areas, there is nothing to suggest the game is in any doubt at the moment.

WRU Group Executive Roger Lewis, said: "We want to offer our sympathy and condolences to all those directly affected by the worst Tsunami to hit the Samoan islands for a hundred years.

"It is still very early in the relief and rescue operation, but we want our friends in Samoa to know that the rugby players, administrators and supporters of Wales have them firmly in our thoughts.

"At a time like this everyone just wants to help and we know the visit of the Samoan team to Wales will bring the reality of this disaster into sharp focus for us all.

"November 13 will be a fresh opportunity for us all to make a small but meaningful difference at a time when the Samoan people will need as much help as they can get. You can be sure that the Samoan team will get a fantastic welcome when they walk out in front of the Welsh crowd."

WRU Chairman, David Pickering, said: "The people of Wales and Samoa enjoy very close links through our shared love of rugby so we are all very aware of the human cost of the devastation we have all witnessed.

"The international fixture is an opportunity for us to make a contribution to the relief effort and it is important we grasp that chance.

"There will be a huge outpouring of help and sympathy for all the victims of this Tsunami but this will be a chance to rekindle the focus on that help several weeks on from the initial impact of the disaster. Samoa are a very proud people and I'm sure these events will unite the team even further to produce an especially passionate performance.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset added, "We are in contact with the affected Rugby Unions. Rugby has a strong tradition of global friendship and coming together to support communities where Rugby is played in times of need and the IRB will be doing all that it can to assist the affected areas."

The Welsh Rugby Union is also donating a share of revenue generated from the November international to Samoa for the development of rugby on the island.

In 2005 the WRU hosted a concert at the Millennium Stadium to raise funds for victims of the Tsunami which struck Thailand and South East Asia.

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New York honour for Archbishop of Wales

The Archbishop of Wales will be installed in New York cathedral this week and will deliver the annual Hobart Lecture.

Dr Barry Morgan will be installed on the International Throne in the Cathedral of St John the Divine in a service on Wednesday (Sept 30). He will then give the address on pastoral ministry.

The Cathedral of St John designated one of its thrones as an international chair in acknowledgement that it is part of an international city. It is a way of honouring visiting church leaders. Those who have been installed include the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Rev George Carey, and the Bishop of London, Rt Rev Richard Chartres.

The Hobart Lecture is an annual address that acknowledges and encourages pastoral ministry. Sponsored by the Diocese of New York, it is named after the third bishop of New York, John Henry Hobart.

The Bishop of New York, Rt Rev Mark Sisk, said:

“We look forward enormously to welcoming Dr Morgan to New York. He is a splendid speaker and an outstanding model of pastoral depth and leadership. His lecture will, undoubtedly, be one of the highlights of our year.”

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Umdumo Wesizwe tour of Wales

If you're a Ladysmith Black Mambazo fan, don't miss Zimbabwean group Umdumo Wesizwe's authentic performance of imbube music right here in Wales.

Don't worry if you missed their amazing performance at this year's Womad, World music fans will be in for a real treat this October, when Zimbabwean group Umdumo Wesizwe perform across Wales as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK.

While the audience might not have heard of the 10-piece group, their distinctive style of traditional music, known as imbube, is instantly recognisable - having been popularised in the west thanks to groups such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Grammy award-winning South African a cappella group.

Umdumo Wesizwe, meaning Sound of the Nation, will be performing songs of love, hope, worship, courtship, hardship and African social commentary during the event, including harmonies and tip-toe dance routines which organisers say will mesmerise guests.

The group hails from Zimbabwe's townships and has garnered and excellent reputation since being established in 1994. The traditional music performed is said to have its roots in the mines of Southern Africa where black workers were taken to work by rail, far away from their homes and family. Poorly housed and paid, workers would entertain themselves through singing music.

The tour through Wales is organised by the Arts Council of Wales, a Night out scheme. Night Out works with village halls and community groups throughout Wales helping them put professional shows into their community venues.

Last year the scheme enabled over 570 shows to be put on by community promoters across Wales.

For more information contact www.nightout.org.uk

South & West Wales
October 4th 7pm Llandybie Public Memorial Hall, near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire Contact 01269 851110

October 6th 7.30pm Bishopston Community School, Swansea
Contact Arwyn harris 01792 234121

October 7th 7pm Soar Centre, Penygraig, Rhondda Cynon Taff
Contact Tom Stupple 01443 420870

October 8th 7pm St. Joseph's Church, Cwmaman, Aberdare
Contact David Way 01685872871

October 9th 7.30pm Blaengarw Workmens Hall, Blaengarw, Bridgend. Contact Don Sage 01656 871911

October 10th 7.30pm St. Jerome's Church, Llangwm, Pembrokeshire. Contact Pamela Hunt 01437 899 966

October 11th 6pm Christchurch, Aberbeeg, Abertillery, Caerphilly
Contact Friends Of Christchurch 01495 217912

North Wales
October 21st 7pm Llanfwrog Community Centre, Ruthin, Denbigshire Contact Llanfwrog Community Centre 01824 702885

October 22nd 7pm Theatr Elfed, Buckley, Flintshire
Contact Elfed High School 01244 550217

October 23rd 7.30pm Llandegfan Canolfan, Anglesey
Contact 01758 720 055

October 24th 8pm Shiloh Community Centre, Cwm Penmachno, Betws y Coed, Conwy
Contact Aled Owen 01690 760112

October 25th 7.30pm Machynlleth Tabernacle
Contact Tabernacle 01654 703355

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Italian award for Welsh author

A Welsh author has been chosen by an Italian city to receive a special award for his contribution to minority language literature.

Harri Pritchard Jones who lives in Cardiff will be honoured at a ceremony in Sassari, Sardinia, on Saturday 19 September 2009.

The award follows a visit to Sardinia last year when he and three other authors from Wales were invited to take part in a literary conference on the island. The visit was organised by Andrea Bianchi and Silvana Siviero - directors of the 'Geiriau o Gymru/Parole dal Galles' series which has seen 13 Welsh books translated into Italian, including collection of short stories by Harri Pritchard Jones.

"I was amazed by the news that I had won this award. I have spoken at a number of literary events in Italy and some of my work has been translated and published there - but I was not expecting an honour like this," said Harri Pritchard Jones, who is currently joint chair of the Academi.

"There is a real interest in Welsh literature in Italy and authors from Wales are always given a warm welcome by the Italians. I'm in the process of learning Italian and I hope to be able to use a little of the language when I'm in Sassari."

The City of Sassari International Award for Minority Languages is given biannually to writers who have made a special contribution to minority language literature.

The prize is promoted by the University of Sassari and the city council, and previous recipients include leading Irish poet Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Ukrainian writer Oleksandr Irvanet.

"We are delighted that Harri Pritchard Jones has been selected to receive this award," said Sioned Puw Rowlands, Director of Wales Literature Exchange which promotes literature from Wales across the world.

"We have been developing literary links with Italy for several years and a number of books from Wales have been translated into Italian as a result. This award shows once again that there is a real appetite for literature from Wales outside our own country,"

Harri Pritchard Jones will return to Italy in November 2009 with fellow writer Menna Elfyn to speak at a series of literary events in Bologna, Venice and Udine.

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Croatians will see regeneration in action

A delegation of government officials from Croatia will visit the Caerphilly county borough this week to view examples of successful regeneration schemes that are helping to transform local communities.

The group, consisting of over 20 delegates, will visit projects at Tredomen Business Park near Ystrad Mynach and New Tredegar as part of a Wales-wide tour organised by the Welsh Local Government Association.

Cllr Ron Davies, CCBC cabinet member for regeneration, said, "We are looking forward to welcoming our colleagues from Croatia and hope we can all benefit from our shared experiences and build new links for the future. The council is proud of its regeneration success stories here in the county borough and we hope this success can be replicated in other regions in the future."

The 5 day tour will see the party visit various locations across Wales, but the group will be in the Caerphilly county borough on Tuesday 8th September (10.00am at Tredomen then 12noon at The Winding House Museum in New Tredegar).

During their stop at Tredomen Business Park the group will receive a presentation demonstrating how the site has been transformed over recent years using ERDF Objective 1 money to become a leading example of regeneration in the area.

At New Tredegar the group will visit the recently opened Winding House Museum and enjoy lunch in the Community Café at White Rose Community Centre. Both schemes have also been part funded by ERDF Objective 1.

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America's Welsh festival gets underway

PITTSBURGH in Pennsylvania is one of the heartlands of the Welsh diaspora in America: its coal and anthracite mines attracted emigrating miners and it's where one of our newest Welsh Icons, the first Archdruid of America, Cynonfardd preached. And, today, Pittsburgh hosts the first day of the 78th Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu.

The festival runs until Sunday and is a rooting-tooting, super-tidy celebration of Welsh culture with links to our own National Eisteddfod.

Two days of seminars, most with Welsh leaders, cover everything from beginners Welsh classes to Richard Burton; lovespoons to fiddling, from Dylan Thomas to the links between Cardiff's Ely Synagogue and Israel.

Folk legends Ar Log and Dafydd Iwan are among the musical performers and musicians and dancers compete in the Eisteddfod - "ice - teth - vod" in the WNGG website's pronunciation guide. The winner of the David G. Morris Award for Semi-Professional Soloist gets a trip to Wales to compete in next year's National Eisteddfod.

The WNGG dates back to 1929 and now has 106 affiliated organisations in Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the States.

Welsh Icons sends fraternal good wishes to the organisers, competitors and audiences and looks forward to hearing more from the American Welsh in future.

Here's a bit of Dafydd:

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Young People from Twinned Towns Visit Civic Centre

On Wednesday 26 August, the leader of Torfaen Council, councillor Bob Wellington welcomed 40 young people from Germany, Portugal and France to the council chamber in Civic Centre, Pontypool, to help them learn more about the lives of young people in Torfaen and the role of the council.

The visit was arranged by Pontypool Community Council through the twinning relationship with its twin towns in Bretten, Germany, Condeixa in Portugal and Longjumeau in France.

Ten young people from each country arrived in Torfaen and they were joined in the civic centre by 10 young people from Pontypool Youth Council.

The young people took part in a range of activities organised by the community council which is hoped may develop into a collaborative youth festival in Torfaen.

Councillor Wellington joined a discussion in the council chamber on the benefits of twinning, how to engage young people in democracy and what it is to be European.

The young people then took part in a computer game tournament organised by University of Wales, Newport and GameStation in Cwmbran. The university provided equipment and GameStation provided 10 Xbox consoles with students from the games designing degree helping organise and support the competition.

In the evening, Pontypool Active Living Centre became the venue for a youth music and dance festival organised by the award-winning Urban Circle organisation.

The young people took part in street and break-dancing workshops, radio, DJ and MC master classes and the night ended with music provided by two local bands.

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Left Coast Eisteddfod: Update

As we told you yesterday, our friends across the pond are hosting the Left Coast Eisteddfod, a Welsh-American Performing Arts festival in Portland, Oregon this weekend.

We have now received the schedules for this weekend's events.

Friday Schedule 10:00AM to 5:00PM

• 11.00 A.M "In Search of Gareth Hughes" A documentary about about one of Hollywood's first silent movie stars ( born in Llanelli) who later became a missionary amongst the Paiute Indians.
• 1.00 P.M. Welsh lovespoons with carver David Western
• 2.00 P.M. A presentation on the pleasures, perils and pitfalls of piping by Edward Channon - a master musician who has been playing the bagpipes for 35 years. He will also be signing copies of his new book 'Ballad Of A Bagpipe' in the Welsh Market throughout the weekend
• 3.00 P.M. A presentation on the Welsh language and Welsh language poetry with John Good
• 4.00 P.M. Announcement of Winning Eisteddfod Entries.

Saturday Schedule:
Welsh market and children's crafts in the Ballroom, special events in Lola's Room:

• 10.00 A.M A presentation on reading the Runes by Americymru member Ingrid Kincaid.
• 11.00 A.M "In Search of Gareth Hughes" A documentary about about one of Hollywood's first silent movie stars ( born in Llanelli ) who turned his back on Hollywood after to making 45 films become "a missionary amongst the Paiute"
• 12.00 P.M. A lecture and question and answer on the legend of Prince Madoc presented by Beryl Richards
• 2.00 P.M. Authors' salon, readings and Q&A with Niall Griffiths, Chris Keil
• 4.00 P.M. An announcement and Q&A session about next years Eisteddfod and the Americymru International Film Festival Chris Needs will also be introducing the premier US screening of his animated film The Jenkins which won the Best Animation/CGI award at this years Swansea Bay Film Festival

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American Eisteddfod kicks off at far left

OUR friends across the pond are hosting the Left Coast Eisteddfod, a Welsh-American Performing Arts festival in Portland, Oregon this weekend.

This year's event includes:
A separately ticketed Friday night rock concert feauturing local Portland bands, Jesus Presley, Western Aerial, Runaway Norm and the SlimJims, tickets from ticketmaster.com

A separately ticketed Saturday evening concert will be held on 22nd August 2009, with BBC Radio Wales' Chris Needs, acclaimed tenor Bruce Anderson, Portland singer-songwriter Tyler StensonOceans Apart, tickets again available from ticketmaster.com

Other events include a daytime Welsh Market on August 21 and 22, with entertainment and children's activities from 10am to 5pm; an afternoon literary salon with Welsh authors Niall Griffiths and Chris Keil; the US premeir of two films from Wales; a Welsh language seminar and much more.

To view a slideshow of the events, see the daily schedule here.

We at Welsh Icons regret we will not be able to make it to Oregon this time, but through the wonders of the Internet we will keep you posted on all events.

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