Celebrating St David's Day

 The Globe was packed on the evening of 1st March.  

I went in wearing a mask, but the requirement has been dropped in places of entertainment in Wales, and almost no-one else was wearing one (apart from one chap who steadfastly kept his on all night).  I bought a drink, and found a seat up on the balcony where I could see about half the stage.

As is traditional in the Globe, there was a film being projected on the wall as background - this one was of a field of daffodils.

First on was a trio, led by Andy from the Bridge End Inn at Talgarth, who mentioned his Open Mic nights every Tuesday evening.  They were joined for a couple of numbers by a girl called Imogen - I think she was playing a mandolin.

Next was the Wynn Family, father and son, who sang traditional Welsh hymns a cappella - the boy was wearing traditional Welsh costume of a red and black tweed waistcoat over a white shirt, with black trousers, and stood on a stool to reach the mic.

There were a lot of performers - Sean O'Donoghue, of the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees group (who organised the event) said how lucky we are in Hay to have so many talented performers here.  Half way through the evening a bucket was passed round for donations, and I think people were giving generously.

Roughly in order after the Wynn Family (I was not taking notes) were two ladies with guitar and violin, followed by some Welsh poetry by Dylan Thomas (Rev. Eli Jenkins from Under Milkwood), Ivor Gurney the war poet talking about the Welsh boys welcoming him in the trenches, and Max Boyce - we learned all about Miner's Fortnight, when the South Wales pits closed and everyone went to Porthcawl or Barry Island to stay in a caravan for two weeks.

Another chap recited his own poetry (available from the Poetry Bookshop!), and sang a song of exile dedicated to the people of Ukraine.

One lady, (Lucy), apologising in advance for her accent, played the spinet and sang O Calon Mor and a Welsh lullaby.

Janice explained how she was learning Welsh via Duolingo, other websites, and Haydn Jones who gives lessons at the Three Tuns - and said that Haydn had been by far the most useful to her.  He had helped her to translate Gershwin's The Man I Love into Welsh, which she then performed, accompanied by her husband Martin on keyboards, and a violinist who then did a solo.  And then there was a bit of a cappella Bach from a small group who came back on stage as part of the Hay Welsh Choir at the end.

Justin was there, singing and playing guitar - and then he brought out a tray full of electronic bits and pieces, including a foot pedal that made echo-y noises, and a kazoo, and played the Welsh National Anthem as it has never been heard before!

He then accompanied Thomasin, who sang a couple of her own songs. 

The finale was the Welsh Choir, singing a medley of famous Welsh songs.  The last three were projected on the walls for audience participation - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, Calon Lan and finally: "The Anthem?"

"The Anthem."

Everyone stood, and belted out Land of My Fathers, and my goodness, I felt proud to be Welsh at the end of it, and I'm from Lancashire!