St David's Day banner launched at Senedd

The Pembrokeshire Banner will take pride of place at the sixth annual St David's Day parade in Cardiff on March 1st.

The banner is the brainchild of Pembrokeshire singer-songwriter Gwenno Dafydd, who is one of the parade's organisers. It incorporates words and images from the song she has written especially for the parade Cenwch y Clychau i Dewi (Ring out the Bells for St David).

It was designed by renowned textile artists, Audrey Walker and Eirian Short and made by some of of the county's finest needle women from the Pembrokeshire Guild of Embroiderers. Project manager Heulwen Reynolds co-ordinated its creation while the whole project was strongly supported by Fishguard Arts Society.

"This is an exquisite work of art," said society chairman Gaynor McMorrin. "So much expertise, commitment and determination has gone into this work and this will make it a showcase piece for the rest of Wales."

Regional AM Nerys Evans hosted the launch at Oriel y Senedd which was attended by other AMs, representatives from the Arts Council and and the Museum of Welsh Life as well as the national media.

The chief executive of Caerphilly County Council came along to find out more about the project with hopes of following the lead set by Pembrokeshire. Moira Lewis, county councillor for Goodwick attended along with the embroiderers and designers from Pembrokeshire.

"I was very pleased to have the opportunity to host this event and offer my support to everybody that has worked so hard on this project," said Nerys.

"I'd like to congratulate the designers for their excellent work and to give a special mention to the Pembrokeshire Guild of Embroiderers for their dedication.

"I'm sure that everybody who was present here today will acknowledge what a fantastic piece of work it is and I very much look forward to seeing the banner making its first outing in the National St. David's Day parade in Cardiff.