Saint David (c. 500–589) (Welsh: Dewi Sant) was a native born Welsh Bishop, during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and specifically as the patron saint of Wales.
He encouraged his followers to live an aesthetic life, ‘drinking only water and eating only bread with salt and herbs’ – definitely no meat and no beer. They were also ‘to pull the plough themselves, without draught animals’. No one was permitted personal possessions. No wonder his saint’s day falls in the middle of Lent!.
David went on pilgrimages and was associated with Glastonbury Abbey and the establishment of monastic settlements around Wales, south west England and Brittany. A busy chap, if not a very jolly one.
The photo shows the daffodils, Wales’ symbolic flower, and camellias bursting into bloom in our sunny garden, beautiful forerunners of Spring.
Dorothy Russell
1st March 2012
