Plans are advancing well for the St. Johns Church Daffodil Festival, over the long weekend of St. David's Day 2002.
The festival committee met again on Monday evening to confirm dates and standard arrangements, similar to last year's celebrations.
Last year was the first year for many years that a Cymanfa Ganu was held at St. Johns on St. David's Day (March 1) and the whole festival was a resounding success.
Mrs. Ann Maggs, who is the originator and leader of the group, is well-known in Tenby and district for her skills in flower-arranging, and she has demonstrated her art on many occasions, not least at St. Johns Church, where she is a member.
Over the Christmas period, Ann led a service, supported by the singing group, in which she portrayed the life of Jesus through the medium of a beautiful floral display, building it up as the service progressed.
Once again, appropriately, daffodils will be the only flowers used for this year's daffodil festival. Thousands of them will be used in many intriguing ways, including 'in memoriam' posies.
The theme for this year is 'Wales: Land of Song' and the outlined programme is as follows: Thursday, February 28, the chapel doors will be open from 10.30 am to 5 pm. Coffee and Welsh cakes will be available in the big schoolroom to the rear of the sanctuary, 10.30 am - 12 noon. At 1.15 that day, there will be a lunch-time concert given by Tenby Junior School.
On Friday, March 1, St. David's Day, the church will again be opened at 10.30 am for viewing the flower display. The church will close at 5 pm, only to re-open at 6.45 pm for the Cymanfa Ganu which will begin at 7.30 pm.
Tenby Male Choir have confirmed that they will be there. The St. Johns singing group will also be present, as will the Cymrodorion Ladies singing group, and, it is hoped, many people from other choirs and churches who love to sing. The Cymanfa is open to everyone. It is free of charge, and will provide a wonderful evening of music and praise.
On Saturday, March 2, the church will once again be opened at 10.30 am and the Welsh cake makers will be outside the church, baking their delicious fare (weather permitting).
In the evening, at 5.30 pm, there will be a Noson Llawen in the schoolroom, with home-made cawl provided by Sue and Ian Bonser. The entertainment will also be home-made!
On Sunday, March 3, the festival will come to a fitting conclusion, with a Celtic all-age worship at 10.30 am, which will be followed by a faith lunch at 12 noon. This service and lunch is open to everyone.
The festival committee will, of course, be working hard in the three days preceding the festival, getting equipment, foliage, daffodils and arrangements in place. But this will be a labour of love and the work itself a true celebration of God's goodness and mercy.
They look forward to celebrating with many hundreds of locals and visitors, particularly at the Cymanfa Ganu on St. David's Day and the Celtic worship on Sunday, March 3.