Members who attend events regularly will be aware that we have been trying a number of new venues. From now onwards, we will be using three venues in Central London. The following information clarifies where they are and the situation regarding accessibility:

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Portland Place School, 56 and 58 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NJ and The Sixth Form Centre, 5th Floor, 143 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QN.

http://www.portland-place.co.uk/

 For smaller meetings we will use the library, which is on the ground floor and has easy access; for larger meetings we will be in the main hall, which is on the first floor; toilets are also on first floor level; refreshments are served on the ground floor. There is one small step at the front door, but no other steps to the ground floor; for the first floor there is a tall flight of stairs.

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

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THE LONDON WELSH CENTRE,

157-163 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8UE

http://www.londonwelsh.org/english_files/welcome_english.htm

This year we are using The London Welsh Centre for our President's Day celebration event incorporating the Bayreuth Bursary.

The Centre is situated at the mid point of the Gray's Inn Road street just north of the junction with Guilford Street.

Nearest underground stations are Russell Square (Piccadilly line-zone One) and Kings Cross (Circle, Hammersmith, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines-Zone One) and Chancery lane.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Centre, which has disabled access (one step but if that is a problem please contact the Centre to arrange a step-free access), is roughly equidistant from Russell Square, Chancery Lane and Kings Cross tube stations. Buses 17, 45 and 46 run along Gray’s Inn Road, alight at the Guildford Road stop. The telephone number of the Centre is 0207 837 3722.

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

History of the Centre

The origins of the London Welsh Association date back to 1920 when an organisation ‘Young Wales’ was formed to give a focus for young Welsh people in London.  There was, however, no formal meeting place outside the various Welsh chapels.  Social gatherings  on Saturday evenings  at a couple of hotels owned by a successful Welsh businessman  demonstrated the real need for a meeting place of non-sectarian character for the younger members of the Community.    In 1931 a philanthropist,  Sir Howell J. Williams,  purchased premises in Mecklenburgh Square having frontage onto Grays Inn Road.  The building rapidly became the meeting place of the functions and committees of the various London Welsh societies and organisations, while at the same time serving as a club for the members of the Association taking advantage of the amenities provided.

The premises fronting on Grays Inn Road were completed later,  and opened in 1937, donated by Sir Howell J. Williams under a charitable Trust to provide a non-political and non-sectarian educational and cultural centre in London.

 The Trust’s objects include the promotion of knowledge and use of the Welsh language, the appreciation of literature, music and art and culture for the benefit of the Welsh community, and to provide an information bureau on matters concerning Wales and Welsh life in London.     It was the realisation of a long held dream of the benefactor to provide in London a permanent home for young men and women from Wales.   The new accommodation provided a spacious lounge and tea-room in panelled oak on the ground floor,  and on the upper  floor a billiard room and gymnasium.    The building was dedicated to the memory of those lost in the Great War (the first World War).

Ironically it was only two years  after the joyous opening ceremony took place that the country was again at war.   Use of the premises naturally declined when young men were enlisted and children evacuated.    During the period 1940-1946 the Centre became a Services Club providing beds and meals for those Welsh (and a few Canadian) military people passing through London.  It also catered for some entertainment such as dances and was used by a Welsh chapel for Sunday services when their own premises near the present Barbican site was bombed.   Despite extensive bombing in the area, the building at Grays Inn Road  remained unscathed throughout those turbulent years and was returned to its original use early in the post-war days, fostering a very successful Youth choir from 1953 and a prize winning  Drama Society.

Today the Centre is the base for three choirs, The London Welsh Chorale, The London Welsh Gwalia Male Choir and The London Welsh Male Voice Choir.   The Centre provides Welsh language classes and organises concerts by visiting choirs from Wales, book readings, discussion programmes, regular meetings of its Forum, and a variety of other entertainment.

A prestigious Young Welsh Singer competition is presented biennially at the Centre under the auspices of the London Welsh Trust.  This competition offers a valuable platform for young artists who may be attending the Colleges of Music in London,  Wales and beyond.   The young singers invariably go on to establish musical careers at a very high level.    The first competition of this type was held at the Centre in 1957 and was then known as the Festival Trophy competition.   Part of the prize was the opportunity to sing at the Royal Festival Hall Autumn Music Festival.    This competition was won by Gwyneth Jones (now Dame Gwyneth Jones).

In 1981 the competition was re-introduced  under the title ‘The London Welsh Young Singer of the Year’  and has been run biennially every since.   Many winners have gone on to represent Wales in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, the most recent being Natalya Romaniw.   This year’s competition  is  on  31^st October.   The panel of adjudicators includes Dame Anne Evans,  whose brother John Evans instigated the competition.

Rita Clark

12 September 2009

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Queen’s College, 43-49 Harley Street, London, W1G 8BT

http://www.qcl.org.uk/

For study days we will use the “Waiting Room” at Queen’s College. This historical room on the ground floor, used by Queen Victoria when she visited the school, is equipped with an excellent piano. There are two steps at the front door, but no others to the ground floor. Toilets are situated on the ground floor with no steps. Refreshments are served in the basement area, accessed by stairs.

Queen’s College is on the left of Harley Street when walking north from Wigmore Street, easily spotted by the big green flag, which flies over the door. The nearest tubes are Bond Street and Oxford Circus. Parking is free after 6.30pm; car drivers should note that Harley Street is one-way heading south, access from Marylebone Road. There is good parking with no charge after 6.30pm in this area, but parking charges apply on Saturdays 8.30-18.30 (It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

(Please note that on days when the Waiting Room is not available, Study days will switch to Portland Place School)

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The Swedenborg Hall, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2TH (access from Barter Street)

http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Many members will be very familiar with the Swedenborg Hall, which has been used by the society for some time. The main hall is up six steps at the front door, and toilets are situated in the basement for gentlemen and on the first floor for ladies, both accessed by flights of stairs.

The nearest tube is Holborn; the easiest route to walk is from Holborn via Bloomsbury Court to Barter Street. Parking is available after 6.30pm (and unusually good for motorcycles!)

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

Members attending meetings who would like help with access will be very welcome and should contact Jeremy Rowe, Programme Director, in advance if possible.

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The Henry Wood Hall Trinity Church Square, London SE1 4HE.   

 http://www.hwh.co.uk/

Nearest tube Borough (Northern Line)

Members attending meetings who would like help with access will be very welcome and should contact Jeremy Rowe, Programme Director, in advance if possible.