Category: New Items for February 2024

ARE YOU READY TO CELEBRATE?

While February 14th is of course Valentine’s Day, a closer look at this month’s calendar reveals a host of ‘important’ events and milestones. If we obey February’s call to arms, we will be supporting a host of admirable causes as well as eating numerous Yorkshire puddings, somehow and preferably with a fine set of chopsticks.

Many of the key dates aim to promote good causes and positive outcomes. The United Nations has been behind many of them including on the first day of the month, the start of World Interfaith Harmony Week. The United Nations sponsored International Day of Women and Girls in Science follows on Sunday 11th.

Co-incidentally two of the celebrations are not only celebrated on the same day but were founded in the same year, 1995. Celebrated on the 17th of the month, we find Random Acts of Kindness Day, when we are urged to help elderly neighbours or others in need, smile at strangers and even pay for the coffee order of someone behind us in the queue! World Spay Day founded by The Doris Day Animal League is also on 17th. This promotes spaying, or neutering cats and dogs as a means of saving the lives of abandoned animals. In 2002, the goal was to spay and neuter 200,000 pets across the US. On that note, 22nd February, many Wenvoe residents will celebrate National Walking the Dog Day, which at least two of them, Dolly and Charlie, seem to think is every day….unless it rains!

In the UK some of our offerings although notable, are perhaps a little less noble. British Yorkshire Pudding Day, is celebrated on the first Sunday of February. The Yorkshire pudding first recorded in 1737, was devised as a way to conserve the fat that would drip off a roasting fowl or side of meal. In poorer quarters they would be served before the main meal to dull the appetite before the sparingly served meat course. If you are inclined to make your own, remember that according to the Royal Society for Chemistry, “A Yorkshire pudding isn’t a Yorkshire pudding if it is less than four inches tall.” Stranger still perhaps is National Chopsticks Day on February 6th. Practice using chopsticks, teach someone how to use them or have a family competition. If you join in remember there are several etiquette rules. Don’t point your chopsticks at other people and don’t leave your chopsticks stuck vertically in your food. That’s associated with death.

World Groundhog Day on February 2nd is celebrated in the US and Canada. If a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. The event started in Pennsylvania in 1887 when people named the forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, now a local celebrity. While Phil is the most well-known, other states have their mascots, such as Pothole Pete in New York or Buckeye Chuck in Ohio. Publicised by the Bill Murray movie of that name, current celebrations include festivals that draw crowds of around 40,000 people and are broadcast on TV. In the best quarters, matters are hosted by local officials, wearing top hats and speaking in Groundhogese!

Some ‘days’ don’t quite seem to have the best name. Did you know the average person spends 38 days of their lifetime brushing their teeth, a practice started by the ancient Egyptians c5000BC. While we should celebrate and promote this fine daily routine, perhaps a more positive title than National Toothache Day (February 9th) could have been chosen for this special day. Finally, we can all look forward to a really big day on Tuesday 27th.. Let’s all hear it for World Non-governmental Organisation Day!

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS IN WALES

As we in Wenvoe celebrate the arrival of the New Year with a bottle of fizz, watching the fireworks from around the world on television, and by singing a few lines of Auld Lang Syne, there are many very old New Year’s traditions in Wales. These are deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Welsh culture and history, reflecting a unique blend of ancient customs and modern celebrations. As the clock strikes midnight and the calendar turns, the people of Wales come together to welcome the new year with a combination of time-honoured rituals and contemporary festivities.

One of the most iconic Welsh New Year traditions is the custom of “Calennig,” a term that translates to “New Year’s gift.” Historically, Calennig involved the exchange of small gifts or coins as a gesture of good luck for the coming year. While the practice of giving gifts has evolved over time, the sentiment remains, and it is not uncommon for people to exchange small presents or tokens of goodwill on New Year’s Day.

The night leading up to the new year, known as “Nos Galan,” is a time for communities to come together for festivities and merriment. In some areas, the tradition of “Mari Lwyd” takes centre stage. Mari Lwyd, which means “Gray Mare” in Welsh, involves a group of revellers parading through the streets with a horse skull adorned with colourful ribbons and bells. This unique and somewhat eerie tradition is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. The Mari Lwyd party often involves singing and engaging in rhyming exchanges with residents, creating a lively and communal atmosphere.

In the Cynon valley the Nos Galan race is held on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the life of Guto Nyth Bran the son of a farmer who was helping his father herd sheep when he managed to chase and catch a wild hare. Once locals heard of this there were new rumours every day of him catching hares, foxes, and birds. One such legend has him running from his home to the local town of Pontypridd and back, a total distance of some 7 miles (11 km), before his mother’s kettle had boiled. Another tale is that he could blow out a candle and be in bed before the light faded.

As the new year dawns, many Welsh people participate in the custom of “First-Footing.” This involves the belief that the first person to enter a home after midnight will bring either good or bad luck for the coming year. Ideally, the “first-footer” is a dark-haired man, often bringing symbolic gifts such as coal, salt, and whisky. This tradition is a delightful way for friends and family to start the year on a positive note.

Music and dance are integral to Welsh New Year celebrations, with many communities hosting lively gatherings featuring traditional folk music and dance. People join hands in a circle, performing intricate steps to the tunes of traditional Welsh songs. These events not only showcase the talent and cultural richness of the community but also create an inclusive and happy atmosphere for all.

In recent years, the influence of global celebrations has integrated with traditional Welsh customs, leading to a fusion of old and new. Fireworks displays have become a common sight in urban areas, lighting up the night sky and symbolizing the collective optimism for the year ahead, and on television you can even see the fireworks in Australia on the bridge in Sydney harbour.

In conclusion, the New Year traditions in Wales bring together a beautiful blend of ancient customs and modern celebrations. From the age-old practices of Calennig and Mari Lwyd to the modern spectacles of fireworks and communal gatherings, the Welsh people welcome the new year with a deep sense of cultural pride and community spirit. These traditions not only connect the present with the past but also contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Wales’ cultural heritage.