We are a group of who have connections with Wales either being recent arrivals or having been here for 50 years or perhaps second or third generation Kiwis but with Welsh heritage. The group is getting smaller and older!!!

Our aims are:

• To foster an interest in the National literature, Music and Custom of Wales.
• To Provide an opportunity for Welsh people to meet (especially on St. David’s day on March 1st, 2010.
• To keep alive interest in music, language, history and culture of Wales. We also have a Welsh language interest group that gives Welsh speakers an opportunity to learn the language and practice it.

The Welsh Cymanfa Ganu Association NZ

The association was formed in 1990. It has been instrumental in the organisation of nine Cymanfa Ganu. Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua and New Plymouth(2002) have been pas venues for the event. The national association has asked the Taranaki Welsh Community to host the event again New Plymouth, during Labour Weekend 2010.

We are seeking funds to meet the costs of promoting the traditional cultural activities of the Welsh as in the Nososn ( Fun loving home grown entertainment) with a dinner and a speaker to which others in the wider community can come and enjoy.

The Cymanfa Ganu (festival of Hymn singing where the audience makes a major contribution, an opportunity for the congregation to joini and sing popular hymns and anthems to the well known Welsh tunes.

In the New Zealand environment these will be sung mostly in English to maximise the participation of the congregation. The Cymanfa Ganu will be held at the Taranaki Cathedral of St Mary at 3.00 pm on Sunday 24th October 2010. The Taranaki male Choir will be singing at the vent.

In 2002, the Cymanfa attracted 700 people to St. Mary’s – some from other areas of Aotearoa but the majority from Taranaki. The event brought out the latent Welsh patriotism of many!

The greatest cost is the cost of publishing, the Booklet which can be ($2000+) and also the cost of air fare for the Guest conductor from Nelson($500)together with Church, hall, and sound system costs, and administration, postage , photocopying and advertising. We will be approaching TSB and Creative Communities as well as raffle fundraising.

Should you be able become a sponsor, recognition of your support will be acknowledged, and your logo will appear in the Booklet. Any profit is returned to the community groups.

If you are able to assist the Welsh community with their funding, please get in touch with TMEC through our Contact page.