In the annals of hallowed history, nestled between the pages of lore and legend, there exists a tale so extraordinary, it could only be the story of Saint Dai. The patron saint of all named Dai and David, Saint Dai's saga is one that intertwines faith, fish and chips, and the undying spirit of Wales.
The year was 1972, a time when flares were wide, and hair was wild. In this era of tumultuous change, a figure emerged, destined to become a beacon of light for all named Dai and David. Saint Dai, with his divine vision (and a penchant for architectural design), founded the Church of Dai. But this was no ordinary church; it was a marvel of spiritual and social gathering, built with stones that whispered tales of ancient Wales and mortar mixed with the laughter of locals.
Nestled next to the serenely flowing River Dai, which, by sheer coincidence, shared his name, the Dai Cathedral stood as a testament to Saint Dai's dedication. Not too far from Dai the chippy chip shop—renowned across the lands for its crispy, golden treasures—the cathedral became a place where the hungry in spirit and stomach could find solace.
Legend has it that the Cathedral's location was chosen by Saint Dai after a mystical experience involving a vision of a giant leek descending from the heavens, pointing to the ground next to the river. This divine leek not only symbolized the Welsh people's resilience but also guided Saint Dai to build a spiritual home for his followers.
Among the many miracles attributed to Saint Dai, the most beloved involves Dai the chippy chip shop. It is said that on a night of particularly dire need, when the oil in the fryers ran dry, and the potatoes were as scarce as a sunny Welsh summer, Saint Dai performed the miracle of the "Multiplication of Chips." With a prayer and a wink, he ensured that the fryers overflowed with oil, and the potatoes were as plentiful as the rain in Wales, thus feeding the famished faithful and securing his place in the hearts of the people.
Saint Dai's legacy is deeply entwined with the fabric of Wales, not just through his monumental contributions but through the spirit of community, resilience, and the occasional need for a good fish and chips. His feast day is celebrated with great enthusiasm, where parades of leeks and daffodils fill the streets, and the air is thick with the scent of vinegar and sea salt.
In a world that often forgets the importance of laughter, community, and crispy potatoes, Saint Dai stands as a reminder of what truly matters. So, if you ever find yourself wandering the banks of the River Dai, or perhaps enjoying a hearty meal at Dai the chippy chip shop, spare a thought for Saint Dai, the patron saint of all Dai's and David's, whose legacy is as enduring as the rolling Welsh hills and as heart warming as a perfectly fried chip.
Remember, in the words of Saint Dai himself, "May your faith be as steadfast as your appetite, and may your laughter be as plentiful as your chips." Amen to that, Saint Dai, amen to that.
]]>Halloween, the spookiest night of the year, is just around the corner. As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, it's time to embrace the magic of this eerie and enchanting holiday. From costumes and decorations to the history and traditions, this blog post will guide you through everything you need to know to make your Halloween celebration truly unforgettable.
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, has ancient origins dating back over 2,000 years. It began with the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on October 31. People believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing ghosts and spirits to roam the earth.
When the Romans conquered the Celtic lands, they blended Samhain with their own festivals, such as Feralia (a day to honor the dead) and Pomona (a celebration of the Roman goddess of fruit and trees). Over time, these traditions evolved into the Halloween we know today.
Carved pumpkins, or Jack-O'-Lanterns, are a quintessential Halloween decoration. Originally, turnips and potatoes were carved, but when Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, pumpkins became the go-to choice. They're now an integral part of Halloween décor, often illuminated with candles to ward off evil spirits.
Halloween costumes offer an opportunity to transform into anything you desire. Whether you want to be a spooky ghost, a classic witch, a fearsome vampire, or your favorite movie character, the possibilities are endless. Don't forget to dress up your furry friends as well; pet costumes are all the rage!
Trick-or-treating is a cherished Halloween tradition where children go from house to house, collecting candy and treats. It's believed that the tradition began with the ancient practice of leaving offerings for wandering spirits to keep them at bay.
Creating a haunted atmosphere at home is an essential part of Halloween. Here are some decoration ideas:
No Halloween celebration is complete without delicious and themed treats. Here are a few recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth:
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While Halloween is all about fun and frights, safety should always be a priority. Here are some tips to ensure a safe celebration:
Halloween is a time to embrace the supernatural and let your imagination run wild. Whether you're a fan of creepy creatures, delicious treats, or simply enjoying the company of friends and family, this holiday has something for everyone. So, prepare your costume, decorate your home, and get ready to celebrate Halloween in spooktacular style. It's a night of magic and mystery that you won't want to miss! Check out our Halloween Gifts for something spooky...
Happy Halloween, everyone!
]]>Saint David's Day( Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant) is a very popular event in Wales, and it takes place on the 1st of march. The date is also the date of death for Saint David, which happened in 589 AD. Over the years, Saint David's Day has become extremely important as a feast day, with Saint David being considered the patron of Wales. There are a variety of traditional festivities related to Saint David's Day, these include wearing daffodil flowers and a multitude of incredible costumes, including traditional Welsh dresses for women.
Saint David was born in Caerfai, which is in the south west side of Wales. He was a part of an aristocratic family, and some state that he was also a scion for the Ceredigion royal house. He created a monastic community at Glyn Rhosyn which is pretty much at the spot where we can find the Saint David's cathedral today.
His asceticism and teacher fame continued to spread between the Christians in this Celtic land, and he helped create around 12 monasteries at that time. The Glyn Rhosyn foundation became a crucial Christian Shine and maybe the most important one in Wales at that time. The smallest city in Britain is named Saint David after him, a testament to his importance in the local history and the hard work that he did over the years to protect the location and everyone.
Some say that Dewi Sant was a miracle maker. It’s said that he was able to bring a child back to life by splashing his face with tears. Some also said that he restored a blind person’s sight, and while these things might be hard to prove, they do fall in line with the reasons why people loved him and his true focus on asceticism.
Speaking of Miracles, it’s said that he moved mountains in order to help everyone hear the sermon and have enough space. He rose on a small mountain a white dove on his shoulder. This is said to be the reason why Saint David is associated with a white dove.
During the 12th century, Saint David was recognized to be a national patron saint, with the Welsh resistance against the Normans. Pole Callixtus II also canonized him in 1120, a pivotal moment in history. People were already celebrating Saint David's Day at that time, and during the 17th century there were mentions of how local celebrations were pushed into becoming country-wide celebrations among the neighbors as well.
There were life-size effigies launched symbolically at that time, which showed the importance and uniqueness of the event as a whole. Not only that, but during the 18th century there was also a custom of having confectioners that created taffies. These were gingerbread figures showing a Welshman riding a goat. These were prepared specifically for Saint David's Day, and this habit continues to be popular in some parts of Wales.
Despite the fact that it’s not a national holiday, there is support for Saint David's Day to become a bank holiday. There were times when schools were taking half a day off for this holiday, something that continues in some locations as well.
Every location celebrates it in a different manner. There are a lot of parades dedicated to Saint David's Day, with the largest one taking place in Cardiff. This is a celebration of Welsh culture and heritage. Soldiers are changing the guard at the Castle’s south gate. On top of that, there is a parade in the city center which also has celebrations ranging from a food festival and concerts too. This is something that continues every year, and it shows how important Saint David's Day has become over the years.
Many other Welsh towns have an annual parade regarding Saint David's Day in the middle of their town. There are also concerts related to the holiday in clubs, pubs and other venues. On top of that, there is a Saint David's Week in Swansea that has a variety of cultural, sporting and musical events. It helps push the limits in an engaging and empowering manner, with the benefits being second to none.
There are some Saint David's Day events happening outside the UK too. Disneyland Paris for example has yearly events that celebrates Saint David's Day with a Welsh theme, parades, fireworks and characters dressed in a Welsh attire.
Children usually take partake in school concerts focused on singing and recitation. Young girls and boys also wear traditional Welsh costumes to school. These include things like a Welsh hat, a shawl made out of wood, a white blouse, woolen skirt and apron. Young boys wear a red and black checked waistcoat and hat or a Welsh rugby shirt. Other habits include having the Saint David flag flying high during celebratory events.
Then there are specific events at the University of Exeter where the students are taking part in a very interesting beer race. Here they do multiple laps around the perimeter, as they also drink a ping between the laps. The person finishing their lap quicker wins. As you can see, every location has its fair share of Saint David's Day events and tradition, with some small cities having their own habits too. This is a testament to the importance that Saint David still has after so many years.
Saint David's Day is one of the most beloved events in Wales and it continues to be celebrated in an amazing way every year. Not only is it an incredible event on its own, but it does manage to stand out with its unique style and appeal. The best part is that you can also dress up and be a part of this event if you want, since there are specialized costumes for sale around the holiday. You can also choose to attend one of the many parades dedicated to Saint David's Day, which you can find in Swansea, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, among other locations!
]]>Valentine’s Day is the day we celebrate Saint Valentine, but what a lot of people don’t know is that there were many different martyrs with this name. The ones that we honor during Valentine’s Day are Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome. The latter was a priest from Rome that was martyred in 269, and then he was added to the calendar of saints later on. His remains were buried on Via Flaminia, and his relics were kept in the San Valentino Catacombs and Church, which still remained a major pilgrim site during the middle ages. Nowadays his relics can be found in a variety of locations all over Rome, some are even in Dublin.
Valentine of Terni on the other hand was the Interamna bishop and he was martyred while Aurelian was persecuted. He was also buried in Via Flaminia, but his relics were always kept at the Basilica Saint Valentine in Terni. Both Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome were executed during February 14, even if the years differed.
But why is Valentine’s Day connected with love? It seems that both of them, especially Valentine of Terni was officiating weddings for the Roman soldiers, even if the emperor was not ok with something like this. It was such a thing that made him a proponent for love, peace and happiness.
Additionally, it seems that Valentine wrote a greeting to a girl that he tutored and with whom he fell in love, after being imprisoned. He wrote a letter that was signed “From your Valentine”, and this phrase is still widely used today as well. Some say that the catholic church actually created Valentine’s Day as a way to honor these two men that are seen as martyrs, since they gave their life to support love and happiness.
Of course, there are also rumors that Valentine’s Day was created by Pope Gelasius I as something to replace the Lupercalia festival, which was a celebration of fertility dedicated to Romulus, Remus and Faunas, the god of agriculture. During that time, there was a feast of debauchery, since there was a ritual where some Roman priests were running naked on the streets, slapping women with animal hides that were soaked in blood. This practice was said to promote fertility, and thus it was widely accepted.
After this, there was another tradition where they had women’s names added in a jar, and men were selecting any of those names at random. That would help decide who would they be with for the next year or even until the end of time.
Many people agree that the current Valentine’s Day format is influenced by Chaucer. Chaucer lived during the Middle Ages, a time of courtly love. There were many people showcasing romantic statements, paintings, songs and poems celebrating love and partnership. Chaucer was one of the first people that used the term Valentine as something very romantic in his work. And when the 15th century ended, this word was already used to describe a lover. Shakespeare also made Valentine popular through his writing with mentions of the day in both Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night dream. Later on, during the 18th century, there was a book named “The Young Man Valentine’s Writer” which was also about love and its importance in our live.
The first Valentine Cards were sent in the 18th Centruy and were handmade affairs with lovers decorating paper with romantic symbols like flowers and love knits. During the 19th century, the printing press allowed for the mass production of Valentine’s Day cards. The more expensive the card the more elaborate the design so you lover would always know how much you had spent. In 1913 Hallmark cards produced its first Valentine’s Day card marking a key development in the commercialisation of the event. It is now a commercial event, as well as a massive celebration of partnership and love.
Of course, even Valentine’s Day wasn’t immune to any tragedies. Al Capone’s gang killed 7 men during the prohibition in Chicago. This is known as the Valentine’s Day massacre and it’s a very important part of the prohibition times and history.
When we talk about Valentine’s Day, Cupid is usually associated with it. But how did it happen? As we already know now, Valentine’s Day is connected to Roman priests. Well, Cupid was the son of Venus in the Roman Mythology, so it’s heavily connected to what people were believing in at those times. Valentine’s Day is known for shooting arrows at humans and gods, which make it easy to fall in love with another person.
It's very hard to know when was Cupid added to Valentine’s Day, but it’s simple to see why that happen. Cupid is clearly one of the main proponents of love, and having him as a part of this day that’s all about love was a given. It’s said that Cupid was associated with Valentine and love ever since the Roman Empire times, but that’s hard to pinpoint accurately.
Valentine’s Day has been an ancient ritual day, a religious event, but also a commercial holiday over the years. It continues to shine and stand out as a very distinctive, unique day where people get to be near those they love, enjoy their time and stay happy. Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating the love between two persons, and it has no limits. Sure, there are various traditions related to it, like gifting chocolates, roses, a romantic dinner and many others. But it all comes down to a simple, unique way for people that love each other to celebrate their partnership and connection that brought them together, as well as those amazing moments they spent with each other!
]]>Aberavon beach was a popular “bucket and spade” seaside resort for the South Wales Valleys from the 1940s through to the 1960s. Just like the majority of Sandfields and Aberavon, the beach was originally an area of sand known as the Aberavon Burrows.
It is an impressive 3 miles in length, making it one of the longest beaches in the country. It’s known for its contemporary promenade, which is littered with cafes and bars, as well as children play areas and it’s very own cinema. It’s also a popular spot for fishing and water sports alike (such as kayaking). As well as this, it was awarded the Blue Flag status in 2007 and it’s a part of the Celtic cycling trail and offers fantastic views overlooking both Aberavon and Swansea Bay with its designated cycling path.
Aberavon itself lies between Porthcawl and Swansea and is a calmer alternative to the Gower Peninsula, making it a perfect family spot. The cafes and restaurants on the promenade hold history themselves.
Franceso standing outside the orginal Francos
Franco’s is a fish and chip shop which has been serving the area for over 50 years. It originally started out as a summer business, before becoming a permanent site to welcome customers all year round. In 2005, the Di Francesco family saw another opportunity of the increasing annual tourism to Aberavon and Cafe Remo’s was built. Cafe Remo’s is a popular local attraction and is a cafe, ice cream parlour and restaurant all in one.
As well as these two restaurants, there are also two famous local pubs, Bar Gallois and The Four Winds and the Aberavon hotel, owned by the Best Western group.
Afon Lido as it was in back in the 80s
Another prominent part of the promenade used to be the original Afan Lido, a leisure center which unfortunately burnt down in a fire in 2009. It has since been replaced by another leisure center of the same name, but without the addition of the aqua park it had before.
The Kitetail Structure Aberavon Beach Front
The promenade also has Wales’ largest sculpture, the Kitetail, which stands at an impressive 12 meters and weighs 11 tonnes.
The beach holds many a found memory from people of all ages around wales. My father-in-law speaks fondly of his trips to the beach on the bus from the Rhondda.
New gardens, mini golf, a new splash park and the Front Restaurant and all attractions that make Aberavon a much visited location for many welsh families.
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