Nansi Richards
Encyclopedia
Nansi Richards Jones of Penybontfawr, Oswestry
, was a Welsh harpist, sometimes known as the “Queen of the Harp”.
An expert on both the triple
and pedal harp
s, she always maintained that the greatest influences on her life were her father, the Gypsies
who stayed on their farm, and Tom Lloyd, Telynor Ceiriog, who taught her to play the harp.
She won the eisteddfod harp
competition three times in succession, and played several times for the royal family
. She was appointed official harpist to Charles, Prince of Wales
; after her death at the age of 91, the appointment was unfilled until 2000.
There is now an annual Nansi Richards Harp [Scholarship] competition for young harpists.
On one of Richards' overseas trips, she visited the home of corn flakes
manufacturer Will Kellogg, who was looking for a marketing idea. Richards suggested the cockerel (later named Cornelius Rooster), inspired by a pun on the name Kellogg and the Welsh word "ceiliog", meaning "cockerel".
Oswestry
Oswestry is a town and civil parish in Shropshire, England, close to the Welsh border. It is at the junction of the A5, A483, and A495 roads....
, was a Welsh harpist, sometimes known as the “Queen of the Harp”.
An expert on both the triple
Triple Harp
The triple harp, often referred to as the Welsh triple harp , is a type of harp employing three rows of strings instead of the more common single row...
and pedal harp
Pedal harp
The pedal harp is a large and technically modern harp, designed primarily for classical music and played either solo, as part of chamber ensembles, as soloist with or as a section or member in an orchestra...
s, she always maintained that the greatest influences on her life were her father, the Gypsies
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
who stayed on their farm, and Tom Lloyd, Telynor Ceiriog, who taught her to play the harp.
She won the eisteddfod harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
competition three times in succession, and played several times for the royal family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
. She was appointed official harpist to Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
; after her death at the age of 91, the appointment was unfilled until 2000.
There is now an annual Nansi Richards Harp [Scholarship] competition for young harpists.
On one of Richards' overseas trips, she visited the home of corn flakes
Corn flakes
Corn flakes are a popular breakfast cereal originally manufactured by Kellogg's through the treatment of maize. A patent for the product was filed on May 31, 1895, and issued on April 14, 1896.-History:...
manufacturer Will Kellogg, who was looking for a marketing idea. Richards suggested the cockerel (later named Cornelius Rooster), inspired by a pun on the name Kellogg and the Welsh word "ceiliog", meaning "cockerel".