Parade celebrates Welsh pride

HUNDREDS of people showed their Welsh pride at Cardiff’s St David’s Day parade yesterday.

Crowds gathered at City Hall at 12.30pm, and walked through Queen Street and on to The Hayes.

People dressed in rugby jerseys and traditional Welsh attire to celebrate the occasion.

Flags were proudly flying high as the crowd made its way through the city.

Parade director David Petersen said: “It’s a great way to celebrate being Welsh. The parade has been going for 18 years, and it’s not only the Welsh who enjoy it – visitors and tourists love it too.”

Cardiff-based band Wonderbrass also took part in the colourful march through the city centre.

They performed a variety of Welsh songs, as well as some upbeat tunes that kept crowds energised as they walked through the capital.

“We’ve been involved in the parade for a few years, and it’s such a brilliant day,” said band member Jenny Allan.

“It’s a real privilege to be a part of the event. It’s such a special day that people can enjoy and it’s great that so many people still come and support it.”

People from across the world watched the parade, including Allison Dredge, 27, from Texas.

She studied Welsh in Wales for six months as a part of her degree a few years ago, and still loves to come back and visit Cardiff.

“Even though I studied here, I had never been here for St David’s Day and I always wanted to come back,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful country and I like to come back and visit every few years. I’ve had a really great day.”