Patronal Festival Report - St John the Baptist, Ystrad Meurig

St John the Baptist 
Patron saint: St John the Baptist
Festival date: 22 June

A well supported grant enabled a particularly special Choral Evensong for the Nativity of St John the Baptist. The choir of Holy Trinity, Aberystwyth sang the service, joined by Motje Wolf and Tim Lee, who also provided music during the community Strawberry Tea held beforehand in Canolfan Edward Richard. Despite poor weather, the event drew the community together and was especially successful in welcoming people who do not usually attend church.

The hymn Mae Christ a Pheraidd Lwysaidd Lais, written by Edward Richard, founder of the eighteenth-century grammar school next to the church, was included in honour of the building’s history. The preacher, Canon Aled Williams, author of a book on the school, linked this heritage to his sermon on the life of St John the Baptist.

Daniel Smith arranged and accompanied the psalm, canticle and responses, while Darryl Walters played for the congregational hymns (Laudate Dominum, the Edward Richard hymn and Praise my soul, the King of heaven).

The parish expressed deep thanks to the Trust, the Vicar and all who contributed to a service that brought real joy and strengthened a sense of community.

(Photos: Julie Williams)