The St. David’s Welsh Society of Greater Kansas City began life in 1893 as a benevolent association of Welsh immigrants settling in the metropolitan area.  The Society assisted with their adjustment and settling into life in an American Midwestern city. Since that time it has become a place for those with Welsh heritage to honor and celebrate their roots in a land filled with history, wonder, faith, and beauty.         

Now The St. David’s Welsh Society brings together the various people of the Welsh “village”, of the greater Kansas City area and its environs, and their Cornish neighbors, to celebrate the Celtic heritage and spirit.  

Membership Information
Annual Dues date - March
Individual - $10   Family - $15  Contributing - $25
Send dues to SDWS
15332 W. 82nd Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66219

Contact
Evan Ash                              (913) 768-7006
Larry Griffiths                        (913) 378-6547
 http://www.kcwelsh.com

                            SDWS Board
Evan Ash, President
Carolyn Adkins, Vice President
Bob Adkins, Vice President
Larry Griffiths, Treasurer/
Doug Wyatt, Secretary
Bill Ames, Judith Brougham, Ann McFerrin,
Katherine Spencer, Sue Walston

Although Wales shares a close political and social history with the rest of Great Britain, it has retained a distinct cultural identity. Wales is officially bilingual, the Welsh and English languages having equal status.

The Welsh language is an important element of Welsh culture, and its use is supported by national policy. Over 580,000 Welsh speakers live in Wales, more than 20% of the population.

From the late 19th century onwards, Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song," attributable in part to the revival of the eisteddfod tradition of annual festivals of the arts, especially focusing on those that could give life to song and storytelling, the historically chief competition being in lyric poetry, the winner honored as the “Bard”, to chair the next year’s event.

Daffodil - Welsh National Flower

 Member Gatherings

 The members gather for a variety of occasions throughout the year, including celebration of St. David’s Day, viewing of Welsh films, singing in the Welsh choir tradition, historical presentations, field trips, book and video series such as Brother Cadfael, a Christmaas Tea, and an annual picnic.

In addition the Society participates in regional events like the DBE’s Brit Faire and offers public programs such as the 2015 Sounds of a Sacred Land concert featuring the Te Deum Chamber Choir and the music of contemporary Welsh composer Paul Mealor. We also take advantage of special occasions such as visits from a Welsh Rugby Team, the North American Welsh Choir, and Rhys Bowen, noted mystery writer.

When possible, Welsh language classes and genealogy groups are offered to help individuals in their personal quest to keep connected to their heritage

                 UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday, September 17 , 2:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5325 Nieman Rd, Shawnee Mission, KS - SDWS Film Gathering featuring The Halfway House, The film depicts the meeting of five paired individuals at an isolated Welsh country inn during the middle of World War II. The lives of these people are altered dramatically by the intervention of the inn's owner-operators, played by Mervyn Johns and his daughter Glynis, with commentary by Brad Furnish.

 Saturday, November 4th, Shawnee Civic Ctr., 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas – 2017 Daughters of the British Empire’s Brit Faire, SDWS/KC display, “The Welsh Come to America”. 

Saturday, December 2nd, 2:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5325 Nieman Rd, Shawnee Mission, KS – SDWS Christmas Gathering, carol singing and Welsh heritage videos scheduled. 

Friday, January 26^th, 7:30 p.m., Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO – Friends of Chamber Music concert featuring Welsh artist Llŷr Williams performing music of Shubert.

Wales and its regions and major cities


Welsh National Flag

Flag of St. David -  Patron Saint of Wales

Flag of Owain Glyndwr
Last Native Prince or Wales

Contact

For more information about Society activities and other Welsh related topics, please call Evan Ash at  (913) 768-7006 email frevanash@gmail.com and Larry Griffiths at (913) 378-6547.

Flag

Wales

Links
Click here and here for AMERICYMRU

Click here for North American Festival of Wales
(NAFOW)

Click here for Welsh-American Bookstore

Click here for Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project

 Bywyd Cymreig - Welsh Life Newsletters.  Click on the Date to open the newsletter

Jun 2016
Aug 2016
Oct 2016
Dec 2016
Feb 2017
Apr 2017
Jun 2017
Aug 2017