St Davids Day .. action replay

**Zardoz** · 3rd March 08, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Derek

Nearly at Cardiff Bay .. approaching the Opera House where just after the parade finished and eveyone dispersed

With apologies to those who don't know what I'm talking about, when my wife and I came to this photo, we both said; "Hey! they're going to Torchwood!"

Thanks for the great photos !

**McClef** · 3rd March 08, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

Oh, I had wondered what that flag was! Where does the cross come from? Does that flag represent the whole nation?

It is becoming more and more well-known and popular although still not as famous as Y Ddraig Coch, (Red Dragon) flag.

More can be found on the flag at http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/gb-w-std.html

Originally Posted by Galician

I'm also curious if the Welsh cilt style basically just adopted Scottish usage.

The answer has to be yes as there isn't an early Welsh pattern of such a garment. The Brithwe Dewi Sant (St David National tartan) itself wasn't designed until the 1970s and the Welsh Family name tartans even later. The only minor differences are that the bottom of the cilt is hemmed and not selvedged and there is usually a Welsh symbol woven into the right hand side of the outer apron such as the Dragon or St David Cross or both.

Although some or all the tartans may well now be woven elsewhere, many, including myself, take pride in wearing those woven here in Wales. They are all woven by one mill, just outside Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys. Llanwrtyd's other claims to fame are being the smallest town in Wales, the Man versus Horse race and Bog Snorkelling! There is also a magnificent statue of a Red Kite which I must photograph on my next visit!

Accessories are also given a Welsh flavour such as the Ysgrepan which is modelled on a sporran, accents of tartan and St David Cross on the epaulettes of the Welsh version of the PC, dragon cilt pins etc.

There is not yet, to my knowledge, a Welsh version of a doublet such as the Montrose, but I am sure that some bright spark will come up with one in time!

**Macman** · 3rd March 08, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like a great event. I googled St. David's day and came up with an official site showing the pics from last year's march. I saw both Derek and Trefor in them.

**starbkjrus** · 3rd March 08, 10:36 AM

Thanks to you both for posting pics. It looks like a very fun day.

I was wondering where Elaine was - figured she was using her powers of invisibility again. Intead she's touring the continent. Hmmmm..."I'm with the band..."

Sounds fun!

**Mr. MacDougall** · 3rd March 08, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

With apologies to those who don't know what I'm talking about, when my wife and I came to this photo, we both said; "Hey! they're going to Torchwood!"

Thanks for the great photos !

Heh. My thought was, "Where's the TARDIS?"

**Standard** · 3rd March 08, 11:50 AM

For the uneducated in the group what is St. David's day? Looks like a big deal, and a matter of national pride, but I can't say that I've experienced it myself.

**starbkjrus** · 3rd March 08, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Standard

For the uneducated in the group what is St. David's day? Looks like a big deal, and a matter of national pride, but I can't say that I've experienced it myself.

St. David's Day is the Welsh National Holiday. Much like St. Patrick's Day is to Ireland (Note: NOT what St. Patrick's Day is in the US.) and St. Andrew's Day in Scotland. It's my understanding that England does not make a big fuss about St. George's Day. I could be wrong however.

**Galician** · 3rd March 08, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Standard

For the uneducated in the group what is St. David's day? Looks like a big deal, and a matter of national pride, but I can't say that I've experienced it myself.

Here's a quick intro to the saint:

David is the patron saint of Wales and perhaps the most famous of British saints. Ironically, we have little reliable information about him.

It is known that he became a priest, engaged in missionary work and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks. Their austerity was extreme. They worked in silence without the help of animals to till the soil. Their food was limited to bread, vegetables and water.

In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw, where he had his monastery (now called St. David's). He ruled his diocese until he had reached a very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: "Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me."

St. David is pictured standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. The legend is that once while he was preaching a dove descended to his shoulder and the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that he could be heard. Over 50 churches in South Wales were dedicated to him in pre-Reformation days.

www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay