Residents, families, and members of the local community came together on 1 March at Grace Care Centre to enjoy a vibrant St David’s Day celebration filled with music, food, stories, and warm reminiscence.
The event brought together residents with Welsh heritage, alongside friends and staff, to honour the traditions, music, and history of Wales. The atmosphere was set by a lively performance from folk trio Esgair, whose concert of traditional Welsh‑language songs quickly had the whole room singing along.
Esgair’s musicians performed using classic Welsh folk instruments including bagpipes, flute, harp, fiddle, and the tabwrdd drum. Their performance created a warm, uplifting environment that encouraged conversation and connection among residents.
The home’s chef team prepared a delicious spread of traditional treats such as Bara Brith, Welsh cakes, and Welsh rarebit, giving residents the chance to enjoy nostalgic flavours from across Wales.
Throughout the evening, residents and staff shared stories linked to Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, sparking fond memories among those who had lived in Wales or have family ties there. The celebration ended with enthusiastic singalongs of well‑known Welsh classics including Calon Lân, Sosban Fach, and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Several Welsh residents were delighted to speak with the musicians in Welsh.
Residents expressed how meaningful the evening felt:
- Tony Salisbury said: “I wasn’t sure if you'd know how to do it but it's been bloody good… it reminds me of celebrating in the village with my grandparents.”
- Malcolm said: “The storytelling was fascinating and well spoken — I didn’t know some of those tales and I’m a Welshman!”
Activity Co‑ordinator Matthew Pauley explained that many residents had asked for events that connect them with the traditions they grew up with:
“St David’s Day is a hugely important celebration in Welsh culture… Seeing residents singing along, sharing stories and even speaking Welsh with the band made the evening incredibly special.”
The event is part of the home’s commitment to providing meaningful, personalised experiences that celebrate individual histories and strengthen relationships within the Grace Care Centre community.