“To be born Welsh is to be born Privileged, not with a silver spoon in your mouth but music in your blood and poetry in your soul.”
This old Welsh saying will come to life in Vernon on March 1 when The Vernon Welsh Society holds its annual celebration of St. David’s Day with a lunch and songfest in honour of the patron Saint of Wales, St. David (the equivalent of Ireland’s St. Patrick, Scotland’s St. Andrews and England’s St. George).
St. David (or in the Welsh language, Dewi Sant) was a Celtic monk who became Archbishop of Wales in the sixth century and helped to spread Christianity to the Celtic tribes of Western Britain.
He was descended from royal lineage, indeed a grand nephew of King Arthur and son of the Prince of South-West Wales known as Ceredig.
However, his life was dedicated to his missionary work and spreading the gospel. He was credited with numerous miracles including rising a youth from dead and causing water to spring from the ground. He also founded numerous churches and monasteries throughout the country.
He died March 1, 589 at the age of more than 100 years old and was buried at the Glyn Rhosyn Monastery he founded where now stands the majestic Cathedral of St. David’s.
He is a very important figure in Welsh history and in the establishment of the Welsh culture.
His last words to his followers were “Do the little things I have done” and “walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”
On the anniversary of his death a 1,000 strong male voice choir gathers every year at St. David’s hall in Cardiff in a remembrance performance.
In Vernon, the Vernon Welsh Society marks the occasion with an annual lunch and sing along.
All are invited to attend the buffet lunch whether or not they are of Welsh heritage. The only requirement is that attendees want to enjoy good food and rousing singing.
A lunch will be held at The Village Green Hotel, 4801-27th St., March 1 at 12:30 p.m., doors open at noon. Lunch includes barbecued chicken and shepherd’s pie (even though St. David was a vegetarian) and a cash bar to lubricate the vocal chords (even though St. David only drank water).
The cost is $25 per person and reservations can be made by contacting Les Parsons at 250-549-4348 before Feb. 24.
Les Parsons is with the Vernon Welsh Society.
