THE November meeting was well attended.

Chairman Essillt Thomas reminded members that the Christmas party will be a bring-and-share supper on November 30 at 7.30pm at St Luke's Church Hall, Headless Cross.

Next year's St David's Day lunch is on March 3 at Perry Hall Hotel, Bromsgrove (book early to avoid disappointment).

The 2002 concert will be on April 13 at the Palace Theatre with the Aber Valley Male Voice Choir.

The speaker was Rev Robert Parry, who has Welsh churches in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry and Rugby.

He recently went to minister to 15 Welsh churches in Patagonia for four months, travelling via Mexico and Chile to Argentina, a long journey involving coach drives for many hours.

There his flock amounted to 90,000 humans and seemingly 25,000 dogs! The churches for which he was minister were so widespread he flew to preaching engagements.

The first landing of Welsh people in Patagonia was on 27 July, 1865, from both north and south Wales.

Rev Parry found so much Welshness in Patagonia, for example in place names, Christian names, house names, street names, plus there were Camanfa games and eisteddfords.

Among the artefacts he brought back was a Welsh love spoon.

Many people had Welsh as a first language, Spanish as a second.

Rev Parry aroused such interest that there were very many questions.

Tom Thomas gave a humorous and informed vote of thanks which echoed the appreciation of everyone.

During the evening, Rev Parry was was made an honorary member of the society.