HAPPY NEW YEAR TO CWM GWAUN
THE Christmas and New Year celebrations are a fading, fond memory for most of us. But one tiny Welsh community kept its traditions alive yesterday – by celebrating New Year’s Day 13 days after everyone else.
Unknown to many, the Welsh New Year is called Hen Galan and is celebrated on January 13.
The tradition originates in the 1700s, when the people of Wales used the Julian calendar.
It was replaced in 1752 by the Gregorian calender, which is the most commonly used today.
But the small community of Cwm Gwaun in Pembrokeshire have hung on to their roots and continue to celebrate the New Year according to the old ways.
Lilwen McAllister, who runs a bed and breakfast overlooking the Gwaun Valley, grew up in the area and often took part in the celebrations as a child.
She said, this year’s celebrations started early, with children knocking on her door before 9am to sing songs and usher in the new year.
She added: “I had around 20 children first thing in the morning here and they carried on coming all day – that’s the tradition and we gave them what is known as calennig – money or an apple or something, a little gift.
“The songs are all particular to the area too.
“Gwaun Valley always stuck to the Julian calendar but the celebrations have altered quite a bit from when I was a young girl.
“Farms used to brew their own beer and their doors would always be open to any who came to visit.
“When I was young me and my friends would walk around to the different farms to sing songs and receive gifts, and if you arrived at a home that was sitting down to eat you’d have to join them at their table and enjoy the meal as well. These days parents drive their children to the different farms to sing.
“Old New Year’s Day used to be as special as Christmas Day, with turkey and trifle, mince pies, plum pudding – it was a feast.
“In the evening you could drink as much beer as you like, or tea and coffee.
“We’d be at a farm and there would be another feast for dinner, with a big piece of ham, with sauces, trifle, flan and so many cakes.
“These days we go down to Bessie’s – the Dyffryn Arms.”
The Dyffryn Arms is famous for its characterful landlady Bessie, whose family has run the pub since 1840.
Lilwen added: “It’s a wonderful tradition and one I have known all my life – hopefully it will go on for years to come, especially with youngsters involved.”
Hedydd Hughes, of Llanychllwydog Primary School in the Gwaun Valley, said: “One year in seven Hen Galan falls on a weekday and the children get a day off school, however that hasn’t happened this year.
“We go from house to house within the locality and sing songs for the new year.
“The residents usually give the children sweets or money, making it well worth their time.
“The songs we sing are particular to the area.
“Usually the older generation gathers in each other’s homes, a hotel or the local pub. The beer used to be all home-brewed and I think some still is but usually not.”