A Welsh village within the very west of Wales celebrates the New Year in the midst of January as a part of a centuries-old custom.
The Gwaun Valley, close to Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, has a inhabitants of practically 300.
Every 12 months it celebrates the Hen Galan (the Old New Year) on 13 January.
As a part of the village’s festivities, youngsters go from home to accommodate singing for cash or sweets in a convention generally known as “hel calennig”.
Bonni Davies is without doubt one of the editors of the native publication, Y Llien Gwyn.
She advised Sky News the group bases its annual celebration on the Julian calendar, quite than the Gregorian calendar which is adopted in a lot of the world.
“According to the old calendar that we used to have, [the new year] fell then on 13 January and the people of the Gwaun Valley decided that they would carry on celebrating on the same day as usual,” she stated.
The custom dates again to 1752 when the Gregorian calendar was formally adopted in Britain.
“That’s what happens now is children come around singing and wishing us all a happy New Year and they’ll have a welcome in every place,” Mrs Davies stated.
They participate within the customized of “hel calennig” the place they go across the homes with well-wishes and obtain presents in return.
“In our house, for example, everyone is welcome to come in. The table is full and they help themselves to what they want,” she added.
“They have a cup of tea or something cold, something like that. We’re delighted to welcome them and delighted to hear them.”
Mrs Davies is happy the celebrations span all generations.
“What’s lovely about the night of Hen Galan is that everyone in the area comes out,” she stated.
“From a baby to 80- or 90-year-olds, everyone will come out and socialise with one another.”
Ruth Evans is a instructor at Ysgol Llanychllwydog major faculty.
She advised Sky News it is “really important to keep the tradition going”.
“We’re quite unique here, there aren’t many places left that celebrate the Old New Year,” she stated.
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The day falls on a Saturday this 12 months, but when the Hen Galan falls on a weekday, the college makes certain youngsters nonetheless get the possibility to have fun.
“If there are children in school, we take that little group around the houses that are closest to the school to sing for ‘calennig’ for them to have a taste of the tradition,” Mrs Evans added.
“Even people who move into the valley adopt the tradition and get the ‘calennig’ and things ready. It’s important to the area.”
Source: information.sky.com”