When we were singing Calon Lân* earlier, I had to think of an evening only three weeks ago when about 100 leaders and governors of UWC from across the globe learned to sing Calon Lân in this very same place, Bradenstoke Hall, instructed by a remarkable music teacher and helped by the UWC Atlantic choir. Isobel was with us that evening and we knew that Colin wasn't well. I remember thinking how much Colin would have enjoyed being there with us - singing in Welsh, in his UWC Atlantic, together with his extended family - the global UWC movement. 

 

I like to think that maybe he did hear us and that he would have understood it as a tribute to him and his work of putting the roots of UWC Atlantic deep into Welsh soil while at the same time welcoming and celebrating the diversity of the whole world. 

 

Today we honour and celebrate the life of a very special man. A man of character. A builder of schools and a believer that UWC needs to reach as many students as possible. A man of the founders' generation of UWC Atlantic and many more UWC schools. We also remember a deeply passionate and devoted man; a brave heart going where others did not dare, with as kind a heart as we sang in Calon Lân. And we remember a man with a generosity of spirit, even in the face of difference - a trait that some of us too often lose when things get difficult. I think of this generosity as a lasting legacy of Colin Jenkins. 

 

Today we celebrate a giant of UWC! And as giant sometimes do, he was sitting on the shoulders of another warm hearted giant - without her, his many deeds for UWC would not have been possible. Thank you, Isobel. And thank you, Colin. We will honour your legacy. May you rest in peace. 

 

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*Calon Lân

Welsh Original

Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na'i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.

Calon lân yn llawn daioni,
Tecach yw na'r lili dlos:
Dim ond calon lân all ganu
Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos.
Pe dymunwn olud bydol,
Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;
Golud calon lân, rinweddol,
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.

(Chorus)

Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad
Gwyd i'r nef ar adain cân
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad,
Roddi i mi galon lân.

(Chorus) 

English Translation

I don't ask for a luxurious life
the world's gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart.

A pure heart full of goodness
Is fairer than the pretty lily,
None but a pure heart can sing,
Sing in the day and sing in the night.

If I wished for worldly wealth,
It would swiftly go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart
Will bear eternal profit.

(Chorus)

Evening and morning, my wish
Rising to heaven on the wing of song
For God, for the sake of my Saviour,
To give me a pure heart.