Photo of our festive setting.
The Welsh Society hosted its 2022 festive holiday luncheon at the historic Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Storrowton Tavern is a well-known and beloved landmark in the Springfield area, with a rich history dating back to the 18th century. Originally built as a farmhouse in 1793, the tavern has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. It has served as a tavern, inn, and restaurant, and it is now a popular venue for events and celebrations.
The beautiful Christmas-decorated room and Christmas crackers set the stage for a festive gathering.
Annie Rodgers, Straford Wild-Rocheleau, and the Mari Lwyd
Following our delicious meal, two members (Straford Wild-Rocheleau and Annie Rodgers), recreated the Welsh tradition of the Mari Lwyd (grey mare). The Mari Lwyd, is a figure that appears during the holiday season in Wales. It includes a horse's skull, adorned with ribbons and other decorations, mounted on a pole and carried by a group of singers and musicians who carry it from house to house, singing and performing in exchange for food and drink. Straford and Annie sang forward and backward to welcome the Mari Lwyd into Annie's home.
Straford and Annie also sang three seasonal songs. The first was the Gloucestershire Wassail, sung in English, then two others sung in Welsh..
The event also included some heartwarming Christmas stories, a raffle. The first prize was a Christmas basket filled with Welsh Christmas foods, including a delicious Christmas pudding, and gift cards from UK Gourmet.
The event concluded with attendees singing together the Welsh National Anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau).
Overall, it was a truly festive and memorable holiday celebration, held at the historic and charming Storrowton Tavern, and a great opportunity for the Welsh Society community to come together and embrace the rich traditions of the season.
See the YouTube Video of the Mari Lwyd, seasonal songs, and singing of the Welsh National Anthem.