A Pure Heart
I don't ask for a luxurious life,
the world's gold or its fine pearls:
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart.
Chorus
A pure heart is full of goodness,
More lovely than the pretty lily:
Only a pure heart can sing -
Sing day and night.
If I wished worldly wealth,
He has a swift seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart,
Will be a perpetual profit.
Chorus
Late and early, my wish
Rise to heavan on the wing of song,
To God, for the sake of my Saviour,
Give me a pure heart.
Chorus
Calon Lân
Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na'i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.
Cytgan
Calon lân yn llawn daioni,
Tecach yw na'r lili dlos:
Dim ond calon lân all ganu-
Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos.
Pe dymunwn olud bydol,
Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;
Golud calon lân, rinweddol,
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.
Cytgan
Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad
Gwyd i'r nef ar edyn cân
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy
Ngheidwad,
Roddi i mi galon lân.
Cytgan
SCROLL DOWN FOR WELSH AND ENGLISH LYRICS TO 'CALON LAN'
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Performed by Katherine Jenkins
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Meryl Fell - Trustee, Scholarship & Membership Committees
Meryl was born and raised in Treorchy, a former mining village in the
Rhondda Valley to a family whose first language was Welsh. After
working as a medical secretary (ysgrifenyddes feddygol) in hospitals
both in Wales and the Middle East she, and her American husband Bill,
enjoy participating in events with their Sarasota Welsh friends.
(Contact: 941-524-2914; email - merylfell@hotmail.com
Facebook - Sarasota Welsh Society Twitter - @Merliemoo
Instagram - merylfell3803 Website - sarasotawelsh.com)
Meg Larrabee - Treasurer
Meg moved to Sarasota with her husband, Herb, on their retirement.
Since becoming a member of this Society she shows enthusiasm in
everything she undertakes. She is an active member of St Boniface
Church, Siesta Key and her many interests include that of Master
Gardener. Meg has been Assistant Corresponding Secretary with
Muriel Patram for the past two years and has stood in for David J
Rees in his absence as Secretary. Meg is perfectly suited to her
new role as Treasurer as her attention to detail is unparalleled and
her previous experience in teaching and in the realty business
makes her fully equipped for this position.
(Contact: 941-923-2062; email - meglarrabee@hotmail.com)
Pam Edmunds - President
Pam was born and raised in Buffalo, New York to parents who have
always kept a close connection with relatives in Wales. Pam and her
late mother, Clara, shared a spirit unsurpassed for their Welsh heritage
and have worked tirelessly to help promote the Society and all things
Welsh. Pam was President from 2008 until 2011 and takes up this
position for a second time.
(Contact: 941-485-2664; email - pam.edmunds@yahoo.com;
Website - sarasotawelsh.com email - sarasotawelsh@yahoo.com
Facebook - Sarasota Welsh Society Twitter - @sarasotawelsh)
Sandra Rees - Trustee and Banquet Treasurer
Sandra was born in Newcastle, Australia and moved to the US in
1989. Her father, Ernie, was born in Rhyl, North Wales and instilled in
his family a deep sense of pride for their Welsh heritage. Sandra is a
Past President of the Society and her dedication and enthusiasm is an
inspiration to all. She is married to David Rees, fellow Trustee and
Scholarship Chair.
(Contact: 941-951-6407; email - walesoz@verizon.net)
David Rees - Trustee
David hails from Carmarthenshire, West Wales where, for himself and
his family, Welsh was their first language. He has lived in the US for
over 30 years and was one of the founders of this Society, being a
loyal member from its 2nd year. He is known for his quiet sense of
humour and his very gentle Welsh nature. In the past he has held the
positions of President and Treasurer.
(Contact: 941-951-6407; email - walesoz@verizon.net)
First President 1984 - 1989 and Choirmaster
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Dr James Fountaine 2000 - 2002
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Russell Williams 1989 - 1994 'Cofiwn Cynnes'
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Avanwy Adams First Lady President 2003 - 2005 'Cofiwn Cynnes'
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Renny Prhys (Lloyd Dafydd Prhys aka “Renny Lloyd”) -
Vice President and Webmaster
Renny is a native Kentuckian whose Welsh ancestors emigrated in the
17th and 18th centuries to the 'Colonies' from six areas of Wales. She
grew up with tales and legends of their Welsh homeland, and credits
them with her love of music and literature. Renny spent part of her
graduate studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and later
worked at the University of Wales, Bangor. Now retired, she maintains
an interest in Welsh literature and politics, and with keeping up with
the Welsh National Rugby team.
(Contact: 863-632-1595; email - rennylloyd@aol.com)
Please address all correspondence to: PO Box 19343 Gulf Gate Post Office Sarasota, FL 34276 or e-mail: sarasotawelsh@yahoo.com
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Bob Griffiths - Chaplain
Bob left his business career in 1988 to teach high school while
he discerned his call. That manifested itself in Hospice
Chaplaincy from 2004 to 2010, when he was hired by the Pines
of Sarasota senior care facility as its staff chaplain. He is an
Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross (Episcopal
Benedictine), retreat leader, and spiritual director. We are
honoured to have Bob in the role of Chaplain for our Society.
(Contact: 941-921-6812; email - griffithsbob@comcast.net)
James R Griffith 1994 - 1996
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Maureen and Philip Jones - Joint Corresponding Secretaries
Awaiting Information
(Contact: 941-918-2318;
email - moejo660@aol.com / philjon456@aol.com )
Don Hughes - Lifetime Trustee and Memorial Fund Chair
Don Hughes was the founder of the Sarasota Welsh group, along with
Diana Jenkins of Llanbedr. Don is originally from Scranton
Pennsylvania with a strong Welsh family going back to Ebbw Vale and
Tredegar. He has served the Society in many different ways as
President, Treasurer, and Board Member. Don has been the Songleader
succeeding his Father MILT HUGHES. An active Realtor in Sarasota for
over 35 years, Don is a Past President of the Lackawanna (Scranton)
St David's Society, a former member of the National Welsh American
Foundation and has served on the board of the Welsh North American
Association.
(Contact: 941-374-1941; email - donwy@aol.com)










David Rees - Scholarship Chair
David took over the chairmanship of the Scholarship Fund in 2013
following in the footsteps of its founder, Dr James (Jim) Fountaine.
Over the years, David had held many positions within the Society and
his wealth of knowledge has been invaluable. He continues to act in
an advisory capacity in all matters concerning the Society and we are
fortunate to be able to 'lean' on him when the need arises.
(Contact: 941-951-6407; email - walesoz@verizon.net)
Dr John Garrison - Secretary and Song Leader
Awaiting Information
(Contact: 941-698-0869; email - john.j.garrison@crabbywizard.net)
GALLERY OF PAST PRESIDENTS
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Justin Rees - Scholarship Committee
Awaiting Information
(Contact: 941-906-2833; email - justin.rees@gmail.com )
Susan Lewis - Accompanist/Musical Director
Susan holds Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Music Education from
Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA, the State University of New York
at Potsdam and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. For
twenty-seven years, she was a choral music teacher in Montrose, PA.
Her choral students were known for their exemplary accomplishments
in state and national festivals.
(Contact: 863-214-6204; email - sbl2710@gmail.com
Amy Ferrell - Trustee
Amy is a travel consultant who lives with her husband, Bob (Robert),
in Sarasota. Her mother was from Trawsfynydd in North Wales but
both her parents were active in the Kansas City Welsh Society. She
is a founding member of the Hudson Valley Welsh Society. Amy's long
association with Welsh Societies, as well as her organizational skills,
make her an invaluable member of the Board. Amy retired as
President of this Society in 2019 after 6 years of service.
(Contact: 941-346-1104; email - amypferrell@gmail.com)
sarasotawelsh@yahoo.com
Check out this page to find contact numbers for our Officers
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