A tradition which is over 1,000 years old was resurrected in the Vale of Glamorgan and used as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the Vale Foodbank.
The 27th September is the feast day of St Baruc, the patron saint of Barry. In centuries past, this date would have been marked by a pilgrimage from the monastery he belonged to at Llancarfan to his chapel on Barry Island. Money would have been given to the support of alms houses to feed and clothe the poor. Followed by a week of merry making, known as the “gŵyl mabsant”.
Over 30 ‘pilgrims’ took part in the event which saw a cornucopia of well-known history experts bring to life the stories of all the places the pilgrims passed through.
At Llancarfan church Ian Fell showed off the incredible, mediaeval murals on the church walls. Vivid in colour and capturing St George slaying the dragon, a dandy marrying a skeleton and a beast with multiple heads devouring those indulging in the seven deadly sins. All dating back to around 1450. Then at Penn Onn, Gareth Thomas, author of ‘I Iolo’ was standing outside the birthplace of the sometimes controversial but always interesting; Iolo Morgannwg and told the pilgrims all about his contributions to Welsh culture including the Gorsedd of the bards at the Eisteddfod festival. Outside Penmark church, Dr Andy Seaman from the Archaeology Department of Cardiff University told everyone about the amazing finds at the 6th century cemetery at Fonmon. Then Nick Hodges of the Victorian Barry Experience talked about the boom years of Barry as the walkers passed through the town.
The pilgrimage ended at the remains of the 13th Century chapel of St Baruc on Barry Island. Then everyone popped across the road to the Barry Island Community Centre where foodbank volunteers had prepared teas, coffees, refreshments and some home-made Welsh cakes and brownies.
As with any true pilgrimage, there was more to it than a leisurely walk and some talk. The event had two important aims to fulfil.
First of all, it was a fundraiser. Vale foodbank has been put under increased strain in the past 12 months as the cost-of-living crisis has bitten hard. The result has been a perfect storm as demand for emergency food parcels for people in the county has increased by 29% from 2023-2024, whilst donations of food at the supermarket collection boxes has dropped by 15%. To help plug some of that gap, all the pilgrims paid a fee. Over £600 was raised on the day and foodbank are hoping that by running the event and raising awareness of the situation they are facing; more donations will be forth coming in future weeks as a result.
The second goal is part of something much bigger being run by foodbanks up and down the UK who are part of Trussel. To listen to the people who need to use foodbank and uncover the drivers of poverty locally. Then to take action to get those things changed. The long-term vision; to remove the need for foodbanks all together.
This event was organised for Vale Foodbank by campaigner and historian Graham Loveluck-Edwards. He told us “The event was a lot of fun for everybody who took part, but of course there is a serious side. Food bank was never intended to be a permanent solution for people in the UK who do not have enough money to cover the essentials despite being in paid work or on benefits. Over recent months we have been asking visitors to foodbank to lay it all out on the table. They have written comments on tablecloths we have provided outlining the causes, symptoms and solutions to poverty in our county. Those tablecloths were displayed at the start and finish of the event. People taking part, and those supporting us in other ways had a chance to read what people with lived experience are telling us. Including a number of Barry and Vale councillors and our MP”.
MP for the Vale of Glamorgan; Kanishka Narayan who attended the event spoke in support of what Vale Foodbank are trying to achieve with this campaign. He said, “I have volunteered at foodbanks, and I have seen the current need for the work they do” he went on to say “I share their vision and I am committed to work towards the phasing out and eventual removal of the need for food banks locally and across the UK.”
If you would like more information about Vale Foodbank visit their website at www.vale.foodbank.org.uk or if would like to donate or contribute to the work they do, please call 07581 398446.
