The annual Festival of Daffodils which is celebrated in St. Johns Church, Tenby, originated as a tribute to St. David, the patron saint of Wales. It is always arranged to coincide with the saint's day on March 1 and this year is no exception.
A significant part of the displays in the church (Thursday, February 28 - Sunday, March 2) are small posies of daffodils which are usually placed down the centre of the church or on the communion rails. Each of these posies carries a label with a message of remembrance of loved ones who are no longer with us. Spare a moment if you visit the festival to read some of the messages and contemplate on their significance.
There will, of course, be the usual array of special exhibits which will be based on the theme of 'Family Celebrations'.
The expert flower arrangers will be busy in the next few days assembling their equipment before the arrival of a multitude of daffodils. They can then get to work with their artistic flair to produce a festival which will match the standard of previous years. St. Johns Church will be open daily from Thursday to Sunday, February 28 - March 2, 10 am to 5 pm, with supporting events at various times.
These include fresh Welsh cakes and a coffee morning from 10.30 am on the Thursday, plus a performance by Tenby Infants School, and a cawl lunch at 12.30 pm in aid of the Amelia Farm Trust, followed by a performance by Tenby Junior School choir at 1.15 pm and the Network Rally at 2 pm. The Country Market takes place as usual in the church hall on Friday morning, while in the evening, there is a quiz, in aid of Ty Hafan, at 7.30 pm. Admission is £5 per table.
Saturday sees more fresh Welsh cakes being baked at the front of the church, together with a coffee morning, and music from Tenby Brass Band. At 2 pm, St. Mary's Handbell Ringers will be giving a demonstration, while at 3 pm, there will be Irish dancing. At 6 pm, the ever-popular Noson Llawen takes place (tickets only).
Sunday is also Mother's Day and there will be worship at 11 am, followed by a faith lunch, before the festival concludes with a Cymanfa Ganu at 8 pm. All are welcome.