It is with great pride that we announce that the Gold Award in 2024 is awarded to Sheryl Clay-Newell, a truly deserving recipient.

If you have attended the Ontario Welsh Festival you will be very aware of one of our regular attendees– namely Sheryl Clay-Newell.  If you want to chat with her you’ll have to go on a search, because if she is not performing as a soloist, conducting the Gymanfa, or singing with Merched Dewi, she could be presenting a seminar based on the life of Ivor Novello.  But what is certain is that Sheryl will always generously make time for you.

A long time member of Dewi Sant Welsh United Church, Sheryl, in addition to being our “go-to soloist” was the conductor of The Dewi Singers.  She was also President of the United Church Women, Chair of the Stewards and Chair of the Official Board.  But as music is the love of her life, she also found time to be guest conductor at several Cymanfaoedd in Ontario and the United States and perform as a soloist for touring choirs from Wales visiting Toronto.

A native of Gilfach Goch, Sheryl moved to Ontario with her family when she was 8 years old.  Dewi Sant Welsh Church has played and continues to play an essential part in her life.  When the sad decision was made that we would have to move from Melrose Avenue to a new location Sheryl played an integral part in the Transition team.  Due to her background in business analysis, she was the perfect person to represent Dewi Sant in our negotiations with Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.  Her aim was (and continues to be) to keep the Dewi Sant congregation as a functioning Welsh community while at the same time encouraging us to play a role in the life of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.  Sheryl, as Chair of the Dewi Sant Official Board, currently represents the Welsh community on the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Board.  We are truly blessed to have Sheryl as our hard working leader.