The Rhondda Leader

Acis & Galatea" at Tonypandy. The Tonypandy and District Harmonic Society, with eisteddfodio honours thick ipon them, gave their first performance If a complete work on Christmas evening tt Jerusalem Baptist Chapel, which had teen kitttfly lent far the occasion* The |

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Rhondda FaTcfT Church Notes. [By Ardwyn."] On Thursday and Saturday, Decem- ber 19th and 21st, the J uvenlle Choir of Carmel (W.C.) Chapel, Wattstown, gave two excellent perform- ances at the Workmen's Hall, Ynyshir, of that popular cantata, entitled Santa Ciaus." The conductor, Mr. R. O. Evans, is deserving of special mention for the excellent manner in which he had trained his choir in preparation of these perform- ances. It is expected that a substantial sum will be realised, which will be towards liquidating the chapel debt. -+--+- On Thursday evening December 19th, at Tabernacle Vestry, under the auspices of the Christian Endeavour Society, a first class debate took place between Mr. Herbert Jones (Ferndale Drug Stores) and Mr. Evan Evans (New Street); subject, "Town Life v. Country Life: Which has the Greater Effect upon the Formation of Character? Mr. Herbert Jones cham- pioned town life, and read an excellent paper to prove that the town has a better advantage, and influences character to a greater degree than country life. Mr. Evan Evans next dealt with country life in a masterly manner. His arguments were strong, and his paper was a proof of the influence that the country has upon the formation of character. Several took part in the discussion that followed, all being high in their praise of the able papers read by both gentlemen. At the close, a hearty vote of thanks was given to Messrs. Jones and Evans. -+--+- The Christmas tree and bazaar at Cal- faria (WB.) Chapel, Wattstown, proved a great attraction this year. It is expected that a good sum will be realised from the work of the day. The English Baptist Choir at Ynyshir gave a grand performance on Boxing Day of Agatha; or, The Lost Child of the Manor." -+--+- The half-yearly services of Nebo (O.M.) Chapel, Wattstown, were held on Christ- mas Day. The preacher for the day was the Rev. J. Pumpsaint Jones, Treharris, who delivered excellent discourses through- out the day. On Sunday evening last, the service at the Blaenllechau Mission Hall was con- ducted by Mr. Herbert Jones, Ferndale Drug Stores.

Ton. The local branch of the I.L.P. held its first bazaar at the Workmen's Hall Ton on Christmas Day, when a goodly number came together. Mrs. E. T. Davies, in an excellent address, opened the proceed- Iho stalls were looked after by Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Landers, Mrs. Cousins, drs. Baldwin, Mr. Moses, Mr. Shepperd Mr. R. Morris, ond others. Mr. Tom Williams (Co-operative) had charge of the magic lantern entertainment. The art gallery proved an excellent draw, wherein was to be seen an excellent portrait of Robert Owen, Socialist (kindly lent by Mr, M. Jones, Co-operative Street). Mr. Jenkin Morgan made an excellent super- visor. The tea tables were tastefully arranged and presided at by Mrs. J. Morgan and Mrs. M. Jones; aided by friends, The local committee and the secretary (Mr. Evans) are to be highly congratulated upon the success of this their first attempt. In the evening, an excellent lecture was delivered by Mr. T. 1. Mardy Jones, F.R.E.S., "llDOn "Robert Owen: Wales' Greatest Welshman." A heartv vote of thanks was moved to the chairman, Mr. Rees, the speaker, and Mrs. Davies by Mr. J. Morgan, seconded bv Mr. T. C. Morris, supported by Mr. Rhys J. Davies, Manchester. On Thursday evening, at Bethesda New Vestry, an address was: delivered before the Rhondda, Cymrodorion Society by Prof. E. Anwyl, Aberystwyth, upon the Characteristics of Welsh Literature." Mr. J. Rees presided, whilst Mr. JM. Lewis, B.Sc., and others spoke. At the English Congregational Chapel, on Monday last. Mr. G. T. James, Here- ford (the general secretary of Wales for the Y.M.O.A.), delivered an address upon the aims and objects of the Y.M.C.A., with a view to establishing a, branch in this neighbourhood. There has been a feeling abroad for some time that some- thiner should be done for the young people of the locality, and at a meeting of representatives from various churches it was decided to invite Mr. James to be present, hence the visit. Mr. James ex- plained the mode of carrying on the work, and commented upon the excellent advan- tages derived from the Y.M.C.A., and also of the great work it did among young people all over the world As an outcome of the meeting, a committee was appointed to go into detail respecting the formation of a branch in the district, consisting of Mr. J. B. Price. Mr. Walter Williams, D.C. (Pentre), Mr. A. J. Timothy, Mr. W. Chillinqrtop, Rev. J. Lewis, M.A., and others. The Rev. J. Lewis made an ex- cellent chairman.

Ferndale. The second annual re-union of the ferndale Secondary School Past Students' Association was held at the Ferndale Secondary School on Thursday evening, December 20th, and was a highly success- ful function. The Association now num- bers upwards of one hundred members, all of whom are subscribers to the School Magazine. The officers of the Association are: —President, Mr. G. Childs, B Sc (headmaster); vice-presidents, Mr. J. Eraser (headmaster. Hafod Boys' School), Mr. G. J. Parry, Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. Dan lhomas, Mr. Arthur Morgan, Miss Cassie Brown and Miss M. J.Herbert; secre- taries, Miss Gretta Morris and Mr. J. D. Morgan; treasurer, Miss E. Tuck. With an excellent working committee, including Misses Rachel Griffiths, Rachel Morgan, Annie Davies, Cissie Phillips, Catherine Evans Blodwen Hughes, Messrs. Ben Davies, Evan David Walters R W. Thomas, Phil D. Lewis, Jacob T. Jones and J. Burrell. On Thursday night, about one hundred of the past students were present, and after an exchange of greetings, all proceeded to the concert- room, where a miscellaneous entertain- ment, including a dramatic sketch, was provided. Some topical verses were read b Mr. B. Davies, of Cardiff University, and were well received. On the com- pletion of the programme, all adjourned to supper, where there was an excellent repast prepared by Mr. Alf Evans and Co. After all had done justice to them- selves at the tables, a whist drive took place, under the supervision of Mr. Phillip D. Lewis. The prize winners were Mr,¡ Arthur Morgan, iMr. D. P. Davies and Miss C. Phillips. The col- leges represented included Cardiff, Bangor Exeter, Southampton, Reading, Swansea! Among those from the various colleges were Miss Edith Davies, Exeter; Miss Gretta Morris, Cardiff University; Miss Maggie Jones, Reading; Miss Jenny Morris, Cardiff University; Mr. Ben Davies, Cardiff University; Mr. John Rosser Harris, Bangor: Mr. Dan Powell Davies, Cardiff University; Mr. Sydney Rees, Reading; Mr. Cledwyn Watkins Southampton; and Mr. Clement Davies' B.A., Secondary School, West Bromwich,' together with a large number of pupil teachers. In addition to the past students, there were also present Mr. T. W. Berry F.C.S. (Director of Education), Mr. and Mrs. G. Childs, Mr. and Mrs. J. Eraser, Miss Dora Davies, B.A., Miss S. L. Bishop, B.A., Miss G. Lewis, B.A., Miss Bawden, Mr. Fred Williams, B.A., and Mr. G. Parry. It was a meeting not likely to be forgotten, and all concerned are to be heartily congratulated upon the success of the gathering.

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work chosen was Handel's "Aciis and Galatea," a masterpiece not very well- known to the great majority of the audi- ence. The artistes were:—Soprano, Miss Emily Kreare; tenor, Mr. Gwilym Rich- ards bass, Mr. Willie Richards, Tony- pandy. Mr. E. T. Davies, Dowlais, con- ducted, the accompaniments being played by the Tonypandy Orchestral Society, led by Mr. Thomas (Ap Tydfil). Mr. Del. Lloyd presided at the organ. At the out- set one must write a few words with 'regard to the performance of the choir. Consisting of picked singers from the Mid- Rhondua neighbourhood, many, indeed, having met with not a little success in eisteddfodau, it is perhaps unnecessary to remark that the singing was well up' to expectations, and was undoubtedly the best ever heard in local oratorio perform- ances. The work was by no means an easy one, and it is greatly to the credit of all concerned that such a, magnificent performance was given. If any part of the choir is chosen for special praise, that part would be the basses, with the sopranos keen rivals. In Wretched Lovers the former were very line mdeed, the runs being taken with steadi- ness and clearness. In the miscellaneous programme, which was given in the second part of the programme, the choir sang Yr Haf," Dies Iræ" (Cherubini), and Hail, Bright Abode (Wagner). It was m this last chorus that the sopranos shone with great brilliancy. In Dies Irse there was not seen the same sym- pathy between the orchestra and choir, and consequently this was not a great performance. But taken altogether, the singing of the choir was the feature of the concert. With regard to the artistes, Miss Breare, a Yorkshire soprano, made her"first appearance in Mid-Rhondda, and was quite a success. Her singing was characterised by commendable intelli- gence, which seems to be a special quality in the performances of our English friends. Her intonation was not quite certain at times, but altogether her first, debut was a thorough success. Mr. Gwilym Richards had a great amount of work to get through, but despite this he did well. In addition to the solos in Acis and Galatea," he sang Onaway, awake, Beloved (" Hiawatha "). in the miscellaneous portion. -Mr. Willie Rich- ards, the local basso, thoroughly deserved the aprilause he received for his render- ing of 0 ruddier than the cherry," his low notes being plainly heard in the large building, while a top F was reached with apparent ease. The instrumental- ists, as mentioned above, were members of the Tonypandy Orchestra, a body of amateurs under the conductorehip of Mr. David Lloyd. When we consider the technical difficulties, and also the inex- perience of some of the players, the appearance of the local orchestra was by no means a non-success, and if the strings had been arranged so that the second violins would have had a couple of ex- perienced players that could have been spared from the firsts, the performance would have been much better. The pro- ceeds were in aid of the Mid-Rhondda Nursing Association, and it is hoped that a substantial sum will be handed over to the treasurer. Mr. W. W. Hood presided, for which he was publicly thanked by Mr. D. W. Davies and J r. W. P. Nicholas, and enthusiastically!- endorsed by those present. In replying, Mr. Hood appealed for a continued support on behalf of the same deserving object, and incidentally complimented the choir and conductor, Mr. David Evans (who wielded the baton in the second portion of the concert). We understand that the concert is to be an annual affair, and the next one will cer- tainly be looked forward to with much interest.