60 years of memories from the Welsh folk dance revival

This week sees the publication of a bilingual book of recollections by Welsh folk dancing enthusiast and contributor to the revival, Mavis Williams-Roberts. Welsh Folk Dance Recollections / Atgofion Dawnsio Gwerin Cymreig also includes a colour photo section and examples of dances that she has composed.

Brought up in Tenby, south Pembrokeshire, Mavis Williams-Roberts discovered Welsh folk dancing in 1960 whilst a science student at University College of Wales, Swansea. With the university folk dancing team, she took part in many a Noson Lawen as well as competing at the Inter-collegiate Eisteddfod, the National Eisteddfod and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Mavis Williams-Roberts said:

“When I became aware of folk dancing, the Welsh Folk Dance Society was only eleven years old, and many of the traditional Welsh folk dances had been lost or almost forgotten. Considerable research was being undertaken to recover and revive them. I was totally unaware at the time of how close we, as a nation, were to losing them for ever.

In Welsh Folk Dance Recollections I would like to share with you some memories of the people who taught and influenced me and, in time, inspired me to write my own collection of dances. The complete collection will be published separately.”

The volume shares memories and the contributions of people like Löis Blake (1890-1974), Gwennant Gillespie (1910 – 2013), Austen Goodman (died 1979/80), Alice E Williams (Alys Brynrefail, 1925-2020), Jessie Williams (1902-2002), Margaretta Thomas (1880-1972) and her daughter, Dr Ceinwen Thomas (1911-2008) and Patrick Noel Shuldham Shaw (1917-1977).

The book also records Mavis’ highlights of her own sixty years in Welsh folk dancing as well as explaining the history and intricacies of some of the dances and listing and giving information about dances she’s composed herself.

In her foreword, Mavis’ daughter Nia says:

“As I grew up I became more aware of the wealth of experience and knowledge my mum had accumulated. I love that this book captures a little bit of the rich tapestry of knowledge and creativity in Mum’s head and I hope it will go on to inspire the next generation of dancers.”