Friday September 4, 2026 ~ 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Held at Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel | Ticket Required, not covered by a NAFOW day Pass
Menu | Banquet Seating reservations
Heritage Award and Gala Banquet ~ Celebrating the accomplishments of Welsh North Americans
This annual gala evening will honor the 2026 recipient of the Welsh Heritage Medallion, Philip Davies, followed by entertainment by Caleb Nicholas the 2025 recipient of the coveted Osborne Roberts Blue Riband Memorial Award at the National Eisteddfod in Wales.
Philip Davies has played an integral part of running the North America Wales Foundation [NAWF] for over forty years, serving as a board member, Secretary, President, and carrying out day to day tasks to ensure the Foundation continued. It was the personal connections he made during his time with NAWF that stand out; especially in his work to stabilize and grow the endowment, ensuring that funds would be available in perpetuity to support educational exchanges between Wales and America.
In addition to supporting the NAWF, Philip has been a supporter of many Welsh American activities; including a member of the Welsh Congregation of New York City, a director of Ninnau & Y Drych, a representative of Cymry Gogledd America at the National Eisteddfod in Wales and a regular attendee of the North American Festival of Wales. Philip’s commitment has previously been celebrated in Wales. In 2006 he was invited to lead Cymru ar Wasgar at the National Eisteddfod and in 2011 was inducted into the Gorsedd.
In 2022, Philip was given the Robert Morris award from the Welsh Society of Philadelphia, recognizing his on-going work in maintaining cultural ties with Wales and North America, particularly in the work of giving scholarships and grants through the NAWF. Most recently, Philip served on the merger committee for the WNAA and NAWF and helped to facilitate the transfer of over 40 boxes of Ninnau archival material from New Jersey to the Archives of Welsh America in Wymore, Nebraska.
Philip works quietly behind the scenes with a strong sense of caring about the Welsh North American community.
In addition to supporting the NAWF, Philip has been a supporter of many Welsh American activities; including a member of the Welsh Congregation of New York City, a director of Ninnau & Y Drych, a representative of Cymry Gogledd America at the National Eisteddfod in Wales and a regular attendee of the North American Festival of Wales. Philip’s commitment has previously been celebrated in Wales. In 2006 he was invited to lead Cymru ar Wasgar at the National Eisteddfod and in 2011 was inducted into the Gorsedd.
In 2022, Philip was given the Robert Morris award from the Welsh Society of Philadelphia, recognizing his on-going work in maintaining cultural ties with Wales and North America, particularly in the work of giving scholarships and grants through the NAWF. Most recently, Philip served on the merger committee for the WNAA and NAWF and helped to facilitate the transfer of over 40 boxes of Ninnau archival material from New Jersey to the Archives of Welsh America in Wymore, Nebraska.
Philip works quietly behind the scenes with a strong sense of caring about the Welsh North American community.
Caleb Nicholas is originally from Pont Hywel, Efailwen, in West Wales. Caleb was educated at Ysgol Maenclochog and later at Ysgol y Preseli, where he served as Head Boy. During his school years, he regularly performed in productions and represented the school at the Urdd Eisteddfod. In 2019, he was awarded second prize in the Boys’ Urdd Solo (Under 19) competition — a pivotal moment that ignited his passion for singing. After leaving school, Caleb moved to Cardiff to train as a medical doctor and now works at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Although he sang duets with his twin brother, Hedd, in childhood, it is only in recent years that singing has become a central part of Caleb’s life. The momentum following the 2019 Urdd Eisteddfod was interrupted by the Covid pandemic, but Caleb now studies under Mrs Eilyr Thomas, whose encouragement and guidance have been invaluable. Winning the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize at the 2025 Wrexham National Eisteddfod was both an unexpected and profound honour for him. Caleb relishes performing, whether as a soloist or as a member of Côr Taflais and says that singing remains a deeply rewarding way to unwind after a day caring for patients.
PLEASE NOTE: *You must have your seating preassigned to attend the banquet. Please bring your banquet ticket, and those in the party you would like to sit with, to the registration area to reserve your place. Banquet seating selection will be available throughout the hours that the Registration Desk is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. [see menu]