Rehoboth Welsh Chapel Fall Gymanfa Ganu
The Rehoboth Welsh Chapel in Delta, Pennsylvania, warmly invites you to their semi-annual Gymanfa Ganu, to be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
We are honored to welcome Eilir Owen Griffiths as our director. Eilir is the Artistic Director of the Cardiff International Choral Festival and Associate Conductor of the British Sinfonietta. His distinguished career includes conducting award-winning choirs—Choir of the World (2022) and Cor Cymru (2024)—as well as composing for internationally renowned artists such as Bryn Terfel and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. His compositions have been featured at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Holocaust Memorial event, and the inauguration of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He also founded the Wales Academy of Voice and Dramatic Arts (WAVDA) in 2021.
If you’ve never attended a Gymanfa Ganu, it is a participatory hymn-singing event, with hymns sung in both Welsh and English. A traditional Te Bach (a small tea and refreshment gathering) will follow the singing.
Delta, PA, a charming town on the Pennsylvania-Maryland border in southeastern York County, has a rich Welsh heritage. Its renowned Peach Bottom slate drew miners from North Wales beginning in the 1840s. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour restored Welsh cottages and a nearby cemetery with historic slate markers. The GPS address for Rehoboth Welsh Chapel is 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA. 17314. A word of caution to those coming from the east side of the Susquehanna River, the Norman Wood Bridge, Rte 372, is undergoing some repairs. Traffic is one lane only and Sundays are horse and buggy days so please allow extra time.
We hope you will join us for this special afternoon of music, culture, and community—and feel free to bring a friend (or a few!).
Welsh Society of Delaware News
Based on what we've heard from visitors to our booth at the Scottish Games, it seems that lots of people have an interest in learning Welsh but not a lot of time to devote to 'classwork.' In an effort to bring the language to people in a practical way, beginning in September we will be offering casual instruction in functional Welsh -- a 'Welsh for the traveler' course, if you will -- as an easy way to test drive the language. We will focus on basics such as greetings, time and date, ordering food and drink, getting around/transportation, etc. Members, watch your email for additional information as we go through Summer. If you are not yet a member but have an interest in the course, please email welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com for membership information.
North American Festival of Wales 2025
The North American Festival of Wales (NAFOW) will be held August 27 - September 1, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Registration is open, and booking for Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre will run to Tuesday, August 5, 2025. For additional information, please visit their website at https://festivalofwales.org/index.html.
2025 Scottish Games Update
We had a wonderful day at the Scottish Games -- the weather was amazing (if a little windy) and there was a great turnout. We spoke to so many guests about our Welsh heritage, and we gained two new members! This year we will be shifting our focus toward more social activities and outings, as well as including more opportunities to hear (and hopefully speak) the Welsh language. Welsh is Britain's oldest language, having evolved over the last 4,000 years, and is an integral part of the country's culture. Members, please watch your email inbox for further information as we continue to develop our 2025 calendar.
Spring Gymanfa Ganu at Rehoboth Welsh Chapel
Our friends Cor Rehoboth will be performing at the annual Spring Gymanfa on May 4, 2025. The singing, in Welsh and in English, will begin at 2:30pm. A te bach will follow. The GPS address for Rehoboth Welsh Chapel is 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA 17314. For an interesting bit of background, visit https://rehobothwelshchurchpreservationpartnership.com/gymanfa-ganu.
Reading of Under Milk Wood
The Welsh Congregation of New York City will be hosting their 12th annual reading of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood on March 22, 2025 at 3:00pm EST (7:00pm UK). The event will be live on Zoom but will not be recorded. For further details, please visit https://www.welshchurch.nyc/.
Rehoboth Welsh Choir
Our friends the Rehoboth Welsh Choir (Cor Rehoboth) will be hosting a mini-Gymanfa on Sunday, March 2 in honor of St. David's Day. John Owen III will be directing and the Featured Guest artist will be Demi Stevens on flute. Singing (in Welsh and English) will begin at 2:30pm and will be followed by a Te Bach. The GPS address for Rehoboth Welsh Church is 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA 17314.
2025 Membership
March 1 is St. David's Day and the start of our membership year. Current members will be receiveing an updated membership form, which we ask that you complete and return at your earliest convenience. Included in this year's form are two very important questions: What are your interests? and What types of social activities would you be interested in attending? Your responses to these questions will determine our plans for the coming year. Thank you for your continued support. Please email welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com with any questions or concerns, or if you would like a membership form e-mailed to you.
Fall Gymanfa Ganu
A Gymanfa Ganu will be held on Sunday, 13 October 2024 at Rehoboth Welsh Chapel in Delta, PA. David Tramontana will be directing and Todd Thomas, Philadelphia based baritone, will solo. Cor Rehoboth will perform two pieces, one of which was composed by their current director, John Owen III. Singing will begin at 2:30pm and a te bach will follow. The GPS address for Rehoboth Welsh Chapel is 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA 17314.
Annual Fall Social
We will hold our annual Fall Social on Sunday, 20 October 2024. Members, please keep an eye on your email for details.
Fall/Winter 2024 Planning
We are currently in the process of planning meetings/events for Fall and Winter. If there is anything in particular you would like to suggest, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.
Annual Membership Renewal 1 March 2024
Our membership year runs from 1 March to 28 February (this year it's 29 February). Members, please watch your e-mail in February for important renewal information. If you are not yet a member but are interested in joining the Society, please e-mail us at welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.
Annual WSD Fall Social
Members, please check your email for your invitation to this year's Fall Social, to be held once again at Stoney's Pub in Wilmington, DE. We hope you will be able to join us for an agenda-free evening of good food as well as fun and fellowship. If you are not yet a member but are interested in joining the Society, please e-mail us at welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.
Updates - July 2023
Our Welsh language learners group is off and running, and we will have our first Zoom meetup on Sunday, August 20. (Registered learners, check your email for the Zoom link.) We'll be chatting with our Vice President, a first-language Welsh speaker, using the Welsh we've learned in our first three lessons. There is no prerequisite and it's never too late to start, so if you're interested in joining the group please e-mail us at welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.
Updates - June 2023
We had a terrific Summer meeting on Sunday, 25 June at Stoney's British Pub in Wilmington. There was plenty of laughter and good food, as well as planning for the future of our Society. If you are interesting in joining the Society, please let us know by contacting welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.
Welsh Language Learning for WSD Members Starting Now!
If you have ever wanted to learn Welsh but just haven't been able to find a class or group to learn with, now is the time! We are kicking off our group learning experience tailored to beginners, and it's free of charge. We'll progress together using an online learning platform and have regular meetups with a first-language Welsh speaker who will help us with pronunciation and real-world usage. Current (2023) WSD members should have received the e-mail announcement.
A Great Day at the 2023 Scottish Games
The Welsh Society of Delaware booth was buzzing with activity at this year's Fair Hill Scottish Games, held on 20 May. The weather was a little dodgy at times but the misty, cool day was no bother for the attendees -- we hear there was a record turnout. We had a great day, in addition to having sold all of our home made Welsh cakes we can boast several new members! If you missed us this year, we will be there again next year. For information on the Games, visit their website.
Upcoming Welsh Events In and Around Delaware
Sunday, 8 October 2023: Fall Gymanfa Ganu at Rehoboth Welsh Church, Delta, PA featuring Cor Rehoboth (Rehoboth Welsh Choir). Music will begin at 2:30pm and a generous te bach will follow. The church is located at 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA 17314.
Sunday, 17 December 2023: A service of Lessons and Carols will be held at Rehoboth Welsh Church, Delta, PA featuring Cor Rehoboth (Rehoboth Welsh Choir). The service will begin at 2:30pm and a te bach will follow. The church is located at 1029 Atom Road, Delta, PA 17314.
Welsh Society of Delaware Membership
March 1, St. David's Day, marks the start of our membership year. As in years past, annual membership will be $10 per household. Checks may be made payable to Welsh Society of Delaware.
If your membership has lapsed or you are new to the Society and would like to join, please send an e-mail to welshsocietyofdelaware1@gmail.com.