Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 

Time:  12 noon until 3pm
Location: Carleton Hotel
Street: 1110 Pleasant St
City/Town: Oak Park, IL 60302

Contact Info: Barbara Jones at 773-275-9789
Organized By: The Cambrian Benevolent Society of Chicago

Come and join us at noon to meet your friends and greet new folks; dinner will be at 12:30. There will be a raffle of interesting items and a Welsh dance performance with opportunities for audience participation.  Put on your dancing shoes!  Tickets are $28 for adults. 

If you would like an invitation please contact Barbara Jones at barbarajones7717@sbcglobal.net  or at the phone number listed above.

Carleton Hotel Oak Park
1110 Pleasant St
Oak Park, IL 60302

2007 St. David's Day Dinner

Since 2005 we have also decorated a smaller tree for the office of Maria Pappas at 118 N Clark St, Chicago.

Take a look at the photos from the 2006 tree decorating at MSI.

2006 Tree Decoration

2007 Annual Picnic

The Cambrian picnic was a highlight of the year for many of the Welsh families who settled in Chicago in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Since its inception in 1869 it has continued to provide good fellowship and good fun for the families who come and bring their picnic lunches and lawn chairs out for a summer afternoon in the park. In recent years it has most often been held in the parks of Oak Park but many years ago it was held in large purpose built parks as far apart as Evanston and Glenwood Park.

In those days most people traveled on the train as few families owned automobiles. Announcements for the picnic included train and street car information. Hundreds of people came out to try and win one of a number of prizes for athletic events. In 1911 there were so many children in attendance that twelve separate races and a high jump contest were arranged. No child was allowed to compete in more than one event. For the adults there were eleven categories of events and fine prizes for the successful competitors; a brooch or a cut glass piece for the ladies and a box of cigars or a pocket knife for the gentlemen.

Baseball and soccer teams competed for a cup which was retained by the organization after winning teams were dutifully recorded. (What has happened to that cup is a mystery. Does anyone know where it is?) Judges were appointed to oversee the competitions and physicians were in attendance to administer to any unfortunate casualties.

Modern picnics are not such elaborate affairs but we still enjoy getting together and having fun chatting and trying out our skills at ‘tea toss’ competitions and ‘shoe kick’ contests. Take a look at the photos from recent picnics held at Maple Park (2005) and Taylor Park (2007) in Oak Park.

2012 Welsh picnic will be held on TBA at Taylor Park in Oak Park from 11a.m. - 3p.m.  We will grill hot dogs and provide chips, condiments and ice cream (of course!).  There will lots of fun and frolics as usual.  So gather up the family and come and join us for a lazy summer afternoon in the sun (we hope). 

Taylor Park can be found at the intersection of Ridgeland and Division in Oak Park.  Our picnic site is at the northeast corner in our usual spot.  Hope to see you there!

  Questions?  Call Dilys Rana at (847) 251-3214 or Barbara Jones at (773) 275-9789

Annual Welsh Picnic — Taylor Park 2007 (view photos)
Annual Welsh Picnic — Maple Park 2005 (view photos)

When: Monday, February 20th, 2012                                                                                                                             

 6PM - Social hour (refreshments will be served). 

 6:30PM - ‘Last Days of Dolwyn’ is about the drowning of a Welsh village to provide water for English cities. Such actions were credited for spurring Welsh nationists into action and forging the Welsh Nationalist Party.

It stars Richard Burton in his first movie role.  

Check below for the address and contact information for the library.  Hope to see you there!

DES PLAINES Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016  

Tel. 847-827-5551    Parking is available in the municipal garage behind the library.  Go to the website for more complete information - www.dppl.org

                                                                                                                                                       The street is just south of, and runs parallel to, the Metra railroad tracks.  It is between Lee/Mannheim on the west and Pearson on the east.    Parking is available in the municipal lot behind the library on the 1st floor and part of the 2nd floor - 3 hour limit.

Previous films shown:

“Solomon and Gaenor” at the Wilmette public library.

“Coming up Roses” at the Oak Park public library.

“Hedd Wyn” at the Des Plaines public library.

If you have questions and/or suggestions for future movies or require any more information please contact Sue Stealey (630) 963-6625 sestealey@juno.com

May 8 - 9, 2010 Millenium Park Chicago

For many years we rented a booth at this popular Chicago festival. We were able to spread the word about the society’s activities and to meet many festival attendees who had questions about Wales or wanted to reminisce about trips there.  

In 2011, citing budgetary constraints, the city decided to incorporate Celtic Fest into the Taste of Chicago in June/July.  No provision was made for Celtic groups to participate other than to recommend performance artists and groups.  In 2011 Wales was represented by a performance of Welsh traditional folk dance by the Ddraig Goch Welsh dancers. (also known as the Fermi Lab International dancers)

We are disappointed that we have lost this great opportunity to reach out and to encourage others to learn more about Wales and Chicago’s Welsh societies.  Please direct interested individuals to this website for information about our events and tell them to contact our Board members with questions.