Celebrations in the UK

The two celebrations held in the UK that take place anually are Valentine's Day and St David's Day.

           The Valentine's Day which falls on 14th February is marked by sending love messages,great amounts of cards and flowers especially red roses,text love messages with pictures via mobile phones,poems and giftts,chocolates to loved ones and secret lovers not only young girls and young boys but also adults.Today's trend is to send the majority of greetings via SMSs and emails than "snail mail".However the UK has spent about £503m for this and other entertainments.

            The second celebration is the Happy St David's Day ! which is equally important. St. David is known as Dewi Sant in the Welsh language. He was born in the 6th centuary near Capel Non on the South-West Wales coast near the present city of St.David and died in the same century. He is originating from a royal family with a strong religious back ground. He was educated in a monastery called Hen Fynyw and his teacher was a blind monk named Paulinus. Later he founded a monastery where the cathedral city of St.David Stands to day.He was one of many early saints to spread Christianity among the Western Britain. Although a total vegetarian lived a simple life he was tall and quite strong. All the people used to respect him celebrated this special day in some manner. On St. David's Day Primary school children specially girls wore a petticoat and an overcoat and a tall beaver hat whereas boys wore a white shirt with jabbot and a waistcoat,wollen socks with black shoes and flat beaver hat, but this was not compulsory for secondary school.The schools began with a religious service in a chapel and had a leek broth which is the traditional St.David's Day meal at school. In the afternoon they celebrated with Welsh dances,folk songs,poems and leek competitions where secondary school celebrated with all above events and ended with an inter house choir competition in Welsh language.(rhys@highfiddetea.co.uk)