The Unique Welsh Plygain Service

Plygain is unique to Wales and was a Christmas church service held at dawn. The music was traditionally sung by men and without accompaniment.

The women would stay at home, baking, making 'Taffy' - a treacle toffee - and playing divining games. In some later traditions the women and children would join the men at the Plygain service and would decorate the church with candles.

Helping the Homeless

For information about how to help the homeless in Wales, how about clicking on one of these links? If you would like other links added, please let us know.

http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas

http://cymru.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/

The Horse Head Tradition

Celebrations involving animal skulls are common throughout the world – and South Wales has its own unique New Year custom – Y Fari Lwyd.  

The horse and friends arrive at the doors of houses and pubs and sing a number of verses. There is then a bardic contest known as pwnco. Challenges and insults are exchanged in rhyme. At the end of the contest the party enters the house. The horse, strictly, should be grey.

The Christmas Story

Queen, Elizabeth 1 decreed that a copy of the Bible in Welsh should be deposited in every church in Wales by Christmas 1588.

The Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament, was translated by William Morgan, vicar of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant in Clwyd at the age of 43.

Morgan later became Bishop of Llandaf.

A Welsh Santa Claus

The name Santa Claus is a corruption of ‘Saint Nicholas’ who was bishop in Myra, Asia in the third century A.D. He was famous for his generosity and for giving gifts to the poor. In Wales, nine Church in Wales churches bear his name.  

The Welsh name ‘Siôn Corn’ (Chimney Siôn) was devised by J Glynne Davies in the 1920s.

Enjoying S4C

S4C has a wonderful programme over Christmas and the new year! Go to the www.learnons4c.co.uk home page for details!

Carol Singing

The tradition of singing Christmas carols from house to house started in the cities in Queen Victoria’s time and most of the popular carols still sung were composed in the 19 th century. ‘O Dawel Ddinas Bethlehem – Once in Royal David’s City’ was composed in 1848. Health and safety concerns and a lack of familiarity with the words of the carols have led to a marked decrease in carol singing in recent years.

In Wales, one tradition which came to an end in the nineteenth century was holly-beating where, on Boxing Day, girls were beaten with holly on their arms and legs until they bled.

Sleeping Problems

Now, thoughts of Santa keep children awake. In the old days, children in Wales were more likely to stay awake on New Year’s Eve. On the morning of New Year’s Day they would carry evergreen twigs and water from the local well from house to house and use the twigs to splash water in the faces of the inhabitants as a symbol of purity and new life. In return they would be given coins.

Christmas Shopping Stress

According to research 49% of the population find Christmas shopping stressful. They’d rather go to the dentist.