A Guide to St David's Day

ST DAVID'S DAY t David's Day is celebrated in Wales on March Ist. In his homeland, he's known as the Patron Saint and commonly referred to as Dewi Sant. St David was a bishop in the 6th Century renowned for founding a Monastery and performing miracles. Following his education in Cardiganshire, Dewi became a teacher and preacher and set out on pilgrimages. He founded religious centres across Wales and England, including one at Glastonbury, and even travelled as far as Jerusalem where he was made an archbishop. He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn in South West Wales (now known as St Davids), where he established a religious community. Many miracles have been attributed to him, the most famous of which was when he made the ground rise beneath him whilst preaching so that everyone could see and hear him. St David died on March Ist 589, it's on this day each year when St David's Day is celebrated. He's usually illustrated holding a dove and stood atop a hillock. His symbol is the leek and his name day wasn't declared a national holiday until the 18th Century. Better late than never! ST DAVID'S DAY TRADITIONS n Wales, children take part in school concerts (eisteddfodau) where recitation and singing are some of the most popular activities. In addition, various Welsh Regiments of the British Army celebrate by presenting aspects of the Saint David's cross, Saint David himself or songs about their Patron Saint in their formalities. Traditionally, daffodils are worn and the Welsh stew Cawl is eaten on St David's Day, it contains lamb and leeks. There are many cultural traditions too, such as parades, food festivals, concerts and even street parties for all those who like to get loose. Ironically, St David didn't drink alcohol! WALES It's no secret that the Welsh have their own unique language. The name Wales comes from the Cymraeg word Gwalia which means 'Homeland' when translated to English. "Cymru am byth' is a famous Welsh motto, it simply means Wales Forever'. However, their national anthem is Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, a phrase which means Land Of My Fathers' when translated into English. FAMOUS WELSH PEOPLE Wales has produced its fair share of famous faces. Roald Dahl, Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins were all born on Welsh soil. In this section, we take a look at some of these famous Welsh faces. Roald Dahl Author Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Cardiff on September 13th 1916 and went on to write stories for children and adults that earned him world-wide success and won him countless awards. He is often referred to as one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th Century. Sir Tom Jones Grizzled crooner Tom Jones is also a Welsh native. Born on June 7th 1940 in Pontypridd, he's sold more than 100 million records, had 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and was awarded an OBE in 1999. Impressive stuff! Catherine Zeta-Jones Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones hails from the coastal city of Swansea. She went from staming in The Darling Buds Of May to appearing in a string of Hollywood blockbusters that eventually earned her an Academy Award for her supporting role as Velma Kelly in the 2002 film Chicago. Sir Anthony Hopkins Hannibal Lecter himself, Anthony Hopkins was also born in Wales. During his long and storied career he's appeared in over 125 films and is the proud owner of an Academy Award which he won for his nail-biting role in 1991's The Silence Of The Lambs. Dylan Thomas Wales most prolific poetic export has to be Dylan Thomas, who was born on October 27th 1914. He wrote many poems in his time, perhaps the most well known being 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night'. It's also rumoured that legendary folk star Bob Dylan named himself after this great Welshman. LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLL GOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLL LLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH This the longest place name in the UK and one of the longest in the world. It's 58 characters in length and is the name of a large village and community on the edge of Anglesey. In English it means The Church Of Saint Mary In The Hollow Of White Hazel Trees Near the Rapid Whirlpool By St. Tysilio's of the Red Cave. Despite having one of the longest place names in the world, the letters K, Q, V and Z do not appear in the Welsh alphabet at all. ABCDEFG HIJLM NOPRSTUWXY 19% According to a 2011 census, only 19% (approx 562,000) of the Welsh population could speak their native language. 81% sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint David's Day http://www.croydononline.org/history/on_this_day/stdavids.asp http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/March/david.html netvouchercodes.co.uk ST DAVID'S DAY t David's Day is celebrated in Wales on March Ist. In his homeland, he's known as the Patron Saint and commonly referred to as Dewi Sant. St David was a bishop in the 6th Century renowned for founding a Monastery and performing miracles. Following his education in Cardiganshire, Dewi became a teacher and preacher and set out on pilgrimages. He founded religious centres across Wales and England, including one at Glastonbury, and even travelled as far as Jerusalem where he was made an archbishop. He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn in South West Wales (now known as St Davids), where he established a religious community. Many miracles have been attributed to him, the most famous of which was when he made the ground rise beneath him whilst preaching so that everyone could see and hear him. St David died on March Ist 589, it's on this day each year when St David's Day is celebrated. He's usually illustrated holding a dove and stood atop a hillock. His symbol is the leek and his name day wasn't declared a national holiday until the 18th Century. Better late than never! ST DAVID'S DAY TRADITIONS n Wales, children take part in school concerts (eisteddfodau) where recitation and singing are some of the most popular activities. In addition, various Welsh Regiments of the British Army celebrate by presenting aspects of the Saint David's cross, Saint David himself or songs about their Patron Saint in their formalities. Traditionally, daffodils are worn and the Welsh stew Cawl is eaten on St David's Day, it contains lamb and leeks. There are many cultural traditions too, such as parades, food festivals, concerts and even street parties for all those who like to get loose. Ironically, St David didn't drink alcohol! WALES It's no secret that the Welsh have their own unique language. The name Wales comes from the Cymraeg word Gwalia which means 'Homeland' when translated to English. "Cymru am byth' is a famous Welsh motto, it simply means Wales Forever'. However, their national anthem is Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, a phrase which means Land Of My Fathers' when translated into English. FAMOUS WELSH PEOPLE Wales has produced its fair share of famous faces. Roald Dahl, Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins were all born on Welsh soil. In this section, we take a look at some of these famous Welsh faces. Roald Dahl Author Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Cardiff on September 13th 1916 and went on to write stories for children and adults that earned him world-wide success and won him countless awards. He is often referred to as one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th Century. Sir Tom Jones Grizzled crooner Tom Jones is also a Welsh native. Born on June 7th 1940 in Pontypridd, he's sold more than 100 million records, had 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and was awarded an OBE in 1999. Impressive stuff! Catherine Zeta-Jones Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones hails from the coastal city of Swansea. She went from staming in The Darling Buds Of May to appearing in a string of Hollywood blockbusters that eventually earned her an Academy Award for her supporting role as Velma Kelly in the 2002 film Chicago. Sir Anthony Hopkins Hannibal Lecter himself, Anthony Hopkins was also born in Wales. During his long and storied career he's appeared in over 125 films and is the proud owner of an Academy Award which he won for his nail-biting role in 1991's The Silence Of The Lambs. Dylan Thomas Wales most prolific poetic export has to be Dylan Thomas, who was born on October 27th 1914. He wrote many poems in his time, perhaps the most well known being 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night'. It's also rumoured that legendary folk star Bob Dylan named himself after this great Welshman. LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLL GOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLL LLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH This the longest place name in the UK and one of the longest in the world. It's 58 characters in length and is the name of a large village and community on the edge of Anglesey. In English it means The Church Of Saint Mary In The Hollow Of White Hazel Trees Near the Rapid Whirlpool By St. Tysilio's of the Red Cave. Despite having one of the longest place names in the world, the letters K, Q, V and Z do not appear in the Welsh alphabet at all. ABCDEFG HIJLM NOPRSTUWXY 19% According to a 2011 census, only 19% (approx 562,000) of the Welsh population could speak their native language. 81% sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint David's Day http://www.croydononline.org/history/on_this_day/stdavids.asp http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/March/david.html netvouchercodes.co.uk