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[Picture: A winter scene at Llandaff Fields, c.1905, from a postcard by photographer Martin Ridley. It shows the Cathedral and the old mill on what is now Western Avenue. Courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales]
The Cathedral Archive has a collection of Llandaff’s parish magazines from the turn of the 20th century, spanning the years from 1898 to 1914. They were given by the family of Archdeacon Buckley, a well-loved Llandaff cleric of that time, whose statue stands opposite the Deanery on the Green.
From the Parish Magazine of 1903 we have an account of Christmas at Llandaff in December 1902, 123 years ago:
Christmastide: All the pictures of an old-fashioned Christmas represent the earth in a mantle of white, or crisp with frost and ice, but the seasons have changed, so people say, and we have generally a green Christmas. Such was the Christmas of 1902. The weather was far from exhilarating, and the Festival which is associated in our minds with winter’s snow and frost was wet and dreary. But everything was bright and cheerful in Church and in home.
No home, we think, was without its Christmas cheer. The Dean and Chapter bestowed their bounty, known as the St Thomas’ Charity, and this, supplemented by other gifts, enabled the Vicar and the Rev. Isaiah Roberts to give to the deserving poor 88 half-crowns [worth in the region of £5000 today]. The Bishop sent his usual thoughtful gift of flannel. Mrs. Bassett of Bournemouth gave a choice piece of beef to 12 of the oldest and poorest. Mrs. Edward David gave the Vicar a sum of money for coal and, adding money from the Poor Relief Fund, several tons were distributed. On the day following Christmas, a substantial dinner of beef and pork, with plum pudding and milk pudding for those who preferred it, was given in the Llandaff Yard [Llandaff North] Schoolroom, and in the evening there was tea and cake for young and old, followed by an Entertainment.
A splendid Christmas Tree, grown at St Fagans and laden with presents, was a great attraction.
Of all our Christmas festivities, the Choir Supper is one of the most pleasant and enjoyable. In addition to the members of both Choirs, the Churchwardens and several of the Sidesmen were present, together with representatives of our Parochial Institutions. The songs were excellent. The toasts were received with enthusiasm, and well responded to, and at midnight the company joined hands and sang “Auld Lang Syne”.
A large congregation was assembled in the Cathedral at 11.15 on New Year’s Eve for the Watch-Night Service, which included the 90th Psalm and the hymns, “O God of Jacob, by whose Hand”, and “O God our Help in ages past”! The Rev. Isaiah Roberts took the Service, Mr. S. Rex was Organist, and the Vicar gave an address on the words of invitation: “the Spirit and the Bride say come.” At the hour of midnight there was a pause for silent prayer.
The old custom of children visiting houses on New Year’s Day seems in one respect to be falling into disuse. Only a few carry oranges in their hands, and the familiar Christmas hymn, “While Shepherds watched their flocks by night” has taken the place of the old New Year’s Rhymes. Other Christmas customs such as “the Waits,” and the “Mari Lwyd” seem to be dying out. A St Fagans party still go the round with the horse’s head, and the quaint old rhyme.* They remain outside as long as those within can answer them in rhyme, and when they fail, the visitors enter to receive Christmas cheer and a gift.
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*One version of the Mari Lwyd rhyme can be found here: http://welshnurseryrhymes.wales/Traddodiadol?cerdd=193