Our annual Christmas Holiday Luncheon was held Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - at the historic Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield, MA on the grounds of the Big E (Eastern States Exposition).
After a social hour, greeting friends old and new, and a festive luncheon, complete with the popping of British Christmas crackers, we enjoyed our 2024 Holiday Season Program.
First, Margaret Lloyd presented on her newest book, “Sleeping in the Same World”, that is steeped in her immigrant experience. Born in Liverpool, England, of Welsh parents, Margaret grew up in a Welsh immigrant community in central New York and is a poet as well as an author … and we are proud to say, a member of WSWNE.
Then, Wild Notes regaled us with an all Welsh folk music program including dance sets to listen to, Welsh songs (sung in English), and several Christmas carols (both Welsh and a few popular ones). Wild Notes is an energetic and exuberant traditional acoustic group with roots in Irish, Scottish, French-Canadian, jazz, and classical music. With Mickey Koth on fiddle and flute; John Kalinowski on accordion and concertina; and Kasha Breau on harp, piano, and vocals.
We ended the program by singing Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (the Welsh National Anthem) together.
Below are Three Videos a Photo Gallery from the event.
Margaret Lloyd speaking at the 2024 WSWNE Christmas Luncheon
Wild Notes playing at the WSWNE Christmas Luncheon 2024
The National Anthem of Wales (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau), sung by all, accompanied by Wild Notes.
