In February, the Northwich Welsh Society in Mid-Cheshire entered its 75^th year and preparations are being made to celebrate in style. The Rh?s Orpheus Male Choir are appearing as guests in a concert in conjunction with Hartford High School and its choirs. The concert on the 23rd April is a fund-raising event and its choirs aim to sing in Welsh, which is considered to be the oldest living language in Western Europe. This event is also a birthday celebration for the Welsh Society. This is a joint venture. Put it in your diaries now.

In its pioneering days, meetings were conducted entirely in Welsh, and, like many other Welsh Societies in England, the one in Northwich was established when unemployment in Wales was unbelievably high, 75% in some areas. Today, meetings are bilingual. This gives an opportunity for Welsh learners from Hartford College to practice their skills.  Half of the Society members are fluent in Welsh.
In the early years, meetings were held in Park Gate Café, affectionately known as Beeley's Café, sited where the new park by the Town Bridge is today.  The Society now meets at 7 Wessex Drive, Rudheath, Northwich the home of Eileen Owen, who along with Llangrannog born Wynne Jones, kept it alive during lean times.
The first St David's Day celebration meal was in the schoolroom at the Castle Congregational Church, now United Reformed Church. The cost for the use of the room was 15 shillings (75p). Forty-eight attended and paid half a crown (12.5p) each.!   On February 27^th members and friends again celebrated St David's Day with a Sunday lunch in the town's Memorial Hall.
Over the years, programmes have varied considerably, with outdoor events and meetings commanding a good regular following - rambles and picnics; films and talks; quizzes and singing; hilarious mock eisteddfodau; visits to border "churches of historical interest followed by a meal at hostelries of distinction".  Six of the traditional seven wonders of Wales have been visited; a trip up Snowdon has yet to be done.
In the 70s the BBC in Wales recorded two programmes for radio, in Welsh with Alun Williams, and in English with Wyn Calvin. In the same decade, concerts were given by the Brymbo Male Voice Choir, and the Gwalia Singers. They were indeed exciting days.
The new season's programme will include a talk on the distinguished Anglo Welsh author from Anglesey, Emyr Humphreys.

The Society has made a donation to the children's hospice Ty Gobaith; has agreed to send one to the National Eisteddfod and will continue to be a member of  Undeb Cymry a'r Byd.

New  members are welcomed. CROESO.