MPs and peers celebrate St David's Day at Westminster
- Published
Children from Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain in traditional Welsh costume pictured during their Westminster visit
It may still be February outside the Palace of Westminster, but inside it is already St David's Day.
As my photograph shows, Speaker John Bercow took delivery of a bunch of St David's Day daffodils this morning from pupils at Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain.
The pupils sang during the traditional service in The chapel of St Mary Undercroft,, external a service conducted by The Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the Speaker.
It featured readings from Welsh Secretary David Jones (St John 9: 1-11, read in Welsh) and one of his two deputies, Lady Randerson (Llanddewi Brefi, by RS Thomas). Ynys Mon Labour MP Albert Owen read Exodus 20:1-17.
The Rev J Ronald Williams, president of the Welsh Congregationalists gave what might be called a wide-ranging sermon, during which a mouse suddenly briefly appeared and ran across the aisle of the 13th Century chapel.
The sermon took in the flags of Six Nations countries and a tribute to the late Plaid Cymru leader Gwynfor Evans. It lasted 26 minutes and prompted one MP to comment afterwards: "Well, that shortened the winter".