St David’s Day was marked by London’s Welsh community with a series of cultural celebrations over the past couple of weeks.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant (Sunday 1 March) saw a range of events including rugby matches, chapel services and choral recitals take place during ‘Wales Week’.
Dr Mike Benbough-Jackson, Senior Lecturer in History, Liverpool John Moores University, believes the annual observances are an important touchstone of Welsh culture.
He said: “Likeness, unity, presence, of the past in the present.
“It’s got historical awareness, the likeness is shining on nationality, giving it emphasis, that spotlight.
“It’s about nationhood, history and Dathlu (celebration).”
Sports
A spirited rugby match was contested by the London Welsh Rugby Football Club’s 1st XV and Bury St Edmunds, cheered on by the Dewi Dragon mascot.
Griff Leader, Media and Comms Director said: “The membership and fanbase is such a Welsh, exile community.
“Anybody who has got an interest in and an affinity to Wales tends to gravitate towards us.”
The activities also involved a game played by the third team as well as a minis festival for 900 children.
The Richmond-based club, sponsored by In the Welsh Wind distillery of Cardigan, possesses an impressive sporting lineage and a thriving membership.
Founded in 1885, the organisation has fielded many players for the British & Irish Lions and Welsh international teams.
Services
In Oxford Circus, the Welsh Church of Central London gave a service which featured Côr Llundain, a Welsh language choir.
Minister Rob Nicholls delivered an inspiring sermon to those present including The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg.
Minister Nicholls said: “We are proud of our saint.
“It’s just a celebration of everything Welsh, our language, our heritage.”
His church is one of 14 Welsh language chapels left in London and the congregation includes many young families.
A famous past member was former Prime Minister David Lloyd George.
In Hanwell, the children of Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain (London Welsh School) participated in a ceremonial service.
They sang at the Palace of Westminster for Welsh MPs and others whilst dressed in national costume.
They then visited the Speaker of the House’s residence and presented daffodils.
Food
A special lunch took place at the Welsh Church of Central London after the service, where attendees enjoyed Cawl soup and Welsh-themed cakes at daffodil adorned tables.
In Peckham, patrons flocked to a new Welsh café called Bara, where they enjoyed delicacies such as the Swansea Breakfast and Caerphilly Cheesesteak.
This cosy eatery was founded by chefs Cecily Dalladay and Zoë Heimann as a community space and has already received significant media attention.
With daffodils displayed and strains of Catatonia audible, it was the perfect cottagecore panacea for those afflicted by hiraeth – the Welsh yearning for home.
For aficionados seeking authentic products, Tesco offered Penderyn Single Malt Whisky from South Wales, Welsh Cakes and Hilltop Honey from Mid Wales amongst others.
Dathlu & Dragons: other celebrations
The London Welsh Centre, a cultural hub for the diaspora, put on a roster of events.
The Gray’s Inn Road establishment offered an annual walk, a ‘Dewi Fever’ disco, rugby screenings and a male voice choir performance.
The saint’s day also received high-profile recognition; Google displayed a red dragon doodle whilst the Prince and Princess of Wales delivered a Welsh address.
Hiraeth and heroes
The recognition of the 6th century Bishop of Mynyw seems powerfully linked to the recurring motif of hiraeth.
Benbough-Jackson states that the annual traditions allow hiraeth to be actively focussed upon, compensating the parts of life not strongly influenced by Welshness.
While Griff Leader said: “Hiraeth means a lot, St David’s Day is a temple day on a year-long of feeling the same thing.”
Minister Nicholls thinks the sizeable, active London diaspora helps dispel hiraeth with language, friends and culture.
St David himself was known for founding monasteries and church settlements.
A respected teacher, theologian and preacher, he led an ascetic lifestyle and was said to live on only vegetables and water.
Minister Nicholls quoted the saint’s popular saying: “To be happy, to be joyful, to keep the faith and to do the little things.”
Benbough-Jackson detailed stories of the prelate’s divine powers; as a minor Christ figure who could heal the sick, treat poisoned waters and raise up hills.
On this patriotic occasion, other national heroes are invoked too – luminaries such as Dylan Thomas, Richard Burton, Shirley Bassey and David Lloyd George.
Thomas, who lived in London, allegedly ate a vase of daffodils on St David’s Day and his poetry was often broadcast as part of celebrations.
Benbough-Jackson reports how the yearly rituals became more prominent in London from the late 18th century.
This period saw the formation of Welsh societies and London became an important place to assertively demonstrate national identity.
In honouring Dewi Sant, with an array of Celtic conviviality, it was clear to see that everyone was having a ‘Wales’ of a time!
Featured image credit: Angela Wynne
