CHRISTMAS arrived early in St Davids last week, as the City Council hosted its annual senior citizens Christmas lunch.

More than 100 local residents gathered in City Hall on Wednesday, December 10 to enjoy the city council’s famous hospitality.

They were served a delicious three-course Christmas lunch which had been cooked by the city council’s finance officer Paul Edwards and Nan George. They were waited on and served by the city councillors, many of whom had given up a day’s work to be there. Help was also on hand from local police officers Jude Parr and Liam Woodford.

PC Parr said: “We started helping out a couple of years ago when we were asked to come along and have Christmas lunch with the residents.

“It’s really great for community engagement. There are more than 100 people here and we get to speak to them all.

“Everybody loves seeing us here, because it shows great community spirit.”

PC Parr added: “We’ve had a wonderful time today.”

The Mayor of St Davids, Councillor David Halse led the vote of thanks to the city councillors and to the clerk Heidi Grey, who “had been fetching, carrying and helping over the last few days.”

The Mayoress, Stephanie Halse added: “This lunch has been undertaken by city councillors for many, many years. It is a very popular event and is open to all those living in St Davids who are aged 60 years and over.”

She added: “It is a great community event and residents are delighted to be looked after once a year by their councillors.”

After the meal everyone was entertained by three talented choir scholars, who had travelled all the way from London, Norwich and Cwmbran.

The trio performed traditional carols alongside the assistant director of music at St David’s Cathedral, Simon Pearce and the Dean of St Davids, The Very Reverend Jonathan Lean. The children of Ysgol Bro Dewi also delighted the audience with the bilingual nativity play, as did the local hand bell players.