ON ST David’s Day, March 1, a special Eucharist service was held for the patron saint of Wales at St Michael’s Church, Walford.

A large congregation attended the wonderful service, officiated by Canon Freda Davies and Rev Professor David Thomas.

There was a warm welcome for all the visitors and after the service the members of the Church served a feast of Welsh refreshments.

The monthly coffee morning at St Mary’s Church was held last weekend, hosted by members of the Welsh ‘sgwrs’ group, meaning ‘chat’ in Welsh, who regularly meet at the church and took the opportunity to dress in full Welsh costume along with plenty of red tops and daffodils being worn.

The highlight of the morning was the presence of Ruth Cartledge, a local harpist, who along with her students, played traditional Welsh music throughout the morning.

The Welsh group in Ross-on-Wye started when two people decided some four years ago, that they wanted to meet over a coffee and have a chat in the Welsh language.

Since then, the group has grown to around 40 people, with a fair number attending each month. Not everyone speaks Welsh, but the coffee morning gives everyone the opportunity to find out more about the language and culture.

For the last few years St David’s Day has been hosted at the church and has raised valuable funds for it. It is also an opportunity to thank the members of the church for the warm welcome they have had since starting the group.

The coffee morning at St Mary’s Church is always on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30 to noon, with different hosts each month and all visitors are welcomed.

The great advantage of St Mary’s Church coffee morning is that large groups of people can meet up for a coffee and cake as there is always plenty of space.