St. David's Day BanquetSunday, March 1, 2009Place: Heritage Oaks Country Club4800 Chase Oaks DriveSarasota, FL 34241-9159Time : 6PM Social Hour7PM DinnerMenu : Traditional Leek SoupChoice of Prime Rib, Chicken Breast orVegetarian entreeChef's choice Welsh DessertDonation : $33 for members$36 for non membersAn exciting program has been arranged for our Florida Welsh Delights! Hon. John Stone, retired member of the WELSH GUARD will be speaking to the us about the long and honorable history of this august group! The WELSH GUARD are known for their HUGE BEARSKIN HATS and for guarding the Queen and all British Monarchs. This select and highly qualified infantry regiment of the British Army was established in 1915. In addition to his duties as a Guard, Mr. Stone was a member of the proud Her Majesty's Welsh Guard Band and Trumpeters. He will share with the us the INSIDE STORY of being a member of this very special group..Music will be provided by Southwest Florida's renowned Marilyn Parry, a mezzo soprano soloist of proud Welsh descent. She will perform familiar Welsh songs.Group singing, long a grand tradition of March 1st in Sarasota, will be a major part of the evening.For more information, please call Muriel (941-925-8481) or Amy (941-349-6069)Send to: Gulf Coast Welsh Society, PO Box 96, Osprey, FL 34229

This is a GREAT/WONDERFUL effort...but why not join forces with the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association and the WELSH FESTIVAL held every Labor Day Weekend for the last 76 years? These two belong together?Don Hughes, Sarasota, Florida donwy@aol.com