Wish you were here...

As London roasts under the sun, it's a good time to turn our thoughts to the Welsh seaside. This picture of New Quay was taken during a weekend Welsh course:

Diary dates

Some upcoming events at the London Welsh Centre - all well worth noting in your diary:

Friday 19th June, 8.30pm - There's Lovely See Comedy Club returns for another night of quality comedy featuring Paul Harry Allen, Stephen Carlin, and Marian Pashley as Guest MC.

Monday 22nd June, 7.30pm - Annual General Meeting. Everyone welcome. Your thoughts and ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Friday 26th June, 8pm - Open Mic Night. If you know of any budding musicians who would like to test out their talent and practise their stage presence do tell them about this. It's a great opportunity to gain confidence from performing in front of an audience.

Saturday 27th June, 7.30pm - Gwalia Male Voice Choir concert. Tickets are £15 including a buffet, and are available from the office (huw@lwcentre.demon.co.uk).

Quiz tonight!

Don't forget that tonight, the Quiz for Africa hosted by Fraser Cains is being held at the London Welsh Centre. Bring your team or join one on the night, and enjoy an evening of fun, challenge and a great raffle! All for the very good cause of bringing a safe water supply to a village in Zambia.

Practical info
Time: 7.30pm, Wednesday 17 June
Venue: London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Cost: £5 per person

Thomas Nathaniel Davies: retrospective

Whitfield Fine Art Gallery are marking their move from New Bond Street to Dering Street with a major retrospective of Welsh artist Thomas Nathaniel Davies - the first in over twenty years.

Thomas Nathaniel Davies (1922-1996) was born in Dowlais and studied at Cardiff College of Art before serving in World War 2. He went on to teach art in Cardiff, Newton Abbott and Torquay; both the grey steel town and the green Devonshire countryside are reflected in his work. It ranges from portraits and landscapes to abstracts, spot paintings and sculptures. He is described by the gallery as 'somewhat overlooked but important', with works in the Victoria & Albert Museum and National Library of Wales collections.

Practical info Times: Mon-Sat, 10-5.30, until Friday 19 June
Location: Whitfield Fine Art, 23 Dering Street, W1S 1AW

Image: The Rhondda Bus, 1948

Quiz for Africa

Next Wednesday is the third Quiz for Africa hosted by Fraser Cains. Thanks to previous fundraising a borehole has been sunk in Zambia, water tower built and tank placed on top; this evening it's hoped to raise the money for pipework to Kasupe Farm.

Fraser promises us 'questions to invigorate the brain, bring you to your senses and lay pipes' as well as a brilliant raffle (past prizes have included everything from champagne to pickles). All that fun and a good cause, for just £5 a head (and donations of prizes are also welcome!)

Practical info
Time: 7.30pm, Wednesday 17 June
Venue: London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Cost: £5 per person

This Wednesday: Gwyneth Glyn

Just a quick reminder that there's still time to get your tickets for the concert this Wednesday by Gwyneth Glyn, the outstanding Welsh singer-songwriter. It promises to be a lovely night out, and tickets cost just £5.

Practical info
Time: 7.45pm, Wednesday 7 June 2009
Venue: the bar, London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Tickets: £5 each, email huw@lwcentre.demon.co.uk or buy online