St Davids Cathedral Pilgrimage Weekend Day 1

St Davids Cathedral

A flotilla of boats welcome pilgrims on their way to St Davids Cathedral.  Day 1 celebrating 900 years of being a known place of pilgrimage.

Porthclais Harbour Authority

About the weekend eventsVisiting St Davids is always an amazing experience, but this year is extra-ordinary. We are celebrating 900 years since Pope Callixtus II declared that two pilgrimages to St Davids should be regarded as of equal value to one to Rome. This special weekend celebrates the thousands of pilgrims who have come to these shores, making a pilgrimage to holy sites associated with St David. Pilgrimage continues to grow in popularity among people of all faiths and none, recognising the mental health and well-being benefits as well as the physical ones, of walking in nature, especially when done intentionally with some spiritual quest in mind.Day 1 Saturday 22nd July, Porthclais Harbour, 10.30am-12.30pm Come and view a flotilla of boats in the harbour and watch as the pilgrims (Freemen of Gwent re-enactment group) arrive from the sea. They have pilgrims’ tales to tell of their journey. Boat owners can be part of a special ‘Boat Blessing’ in the harbour and then a sail to Solva Harbour. Bring your picnic lunch or buy at the kiosk. The cathedral has a long association with this harbour. In the 12th century, stone was transported from here up to the Masons Yard as the present cathedral was built. Both William the Conqueror and Henry II made their way on pilgrimage from Porthclais along with thousands of other pilgrims who made the same journey on foot. Today we will see pilgrims from the past arrive by boat. Once safely on the harbour walls they will tell us their tales of a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for safe deliverance from the Battle of Agincourt. Knight and archer have their tales to tell and high-status ladies with their maids retell their story too. Alongside the pilgrims from the past, we have modern day boats moored in the harbour. Vessels of all shapes and sizes, along with the RNLI presence, will welcome the pilgrims as they arrive. You can get a good view from the harbour entrance or from the coastpath. Travel arrangements - Those who wish to join as spectators can use the Celtic Coaster Bus from the City Hall in St Davids, leaving every 30 minutes from 9am and arriving in Porthclais in just 10 minutes. Boat owners who wish to be part of the flotilla, blessing &amp; sail please ring Bill 07 787 574 807 to receive Porthclais Harbour Authority instructions on mooring, parking notices and arrangements for the weekend. Porthclais Kiosk – serve a light bite menu, drinks and ice-cream. FAQ’sTravel arrangements - nearest train station is Fishguard &amp; Goodwick or Haverfordwest, both are a 30 minute bus ride to St Davids. Although pilgrims travelling from further afield may want to allow for overnight night accommodation. Those who wish to join us at Porthclais can use the Celtic Coaster Bus from the City Hall 10am which will arrive at Porthclais at 10.10pm. Harbour/launching and mooring, car and trailer parking.-	Visiting and participating boats are welcome to launch or moor at Portclais without charge from Friday 21st till Sunday 23rd July.-	Small boats can be launched and recovered at any state of tide either direct to the harbour or via the slipway.-	It will be possible to moor small boats off the quays where space is available.-	A visitor’s mooring is available for larger vessels, outside the harbour wall.-	There will be local assistance available for launching and recovery if needed.-	There is planned to be parking on an adjacent field for trailers and vehicles belonging to visiting sailors. We’ll try and make this f.o.c., too.-	On-shore camping is available locally: -	Porthclais Farm Camping Home - Porthclais Campsite (porthclais-farm-campsite.co.uk)-	Pencarnan Farm https://pencarnanfarm.co.uk/-	Leithyr Farm https://www.lleithyrfarm.co.uk/ -	Home Farm https://homefarmstdavids.com/Sailing.-	After the pilgrims’ landing, we propose a day-sail to Solva.-	Sunday 23rd can be regarded as a free-sailing day and another passage may be planned.Catering.-	There is a Kiosk at Porthclais Harbour.-	Shops, cafes and pubs are just up the lane in St David’s.Tides.22nd July HW: 10:20 (4.5m), LW: 16:10 (1.4m) 23rd July HW: 10:50 (4.4m), LW: 17:00 (1.5m) ContactsVisiting boats &amp; DCA Member: Bill Dowell 07787 574807 redwing228@hotmail.comPorthclais Harbour enquiries: Dai Davies 01437 721363 or 07974 201648 daiwsru@talk21.comSt David’s Cathedral Pilgrimage: Janet Ingram 01437 729151 education@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

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