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Pilgrims embark on St Baruc fundraiser

Monday, 30 September 2024 at 14:28

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

A thousand year-old tradition has been resurrected in Barry to help raise funds for a local foodbank.

27th September marks St Baruc's Day - the patron saint of Barry - and over 30 'pilgrims', including a host of history experts, joined a special walk held to mark the occasion.

In centuries past, the day would have been marked by a pilgrimage from St Baruc's monastery at Llancarfan to his chapel on Barry Island.

Money would have been given to support alms houses feeding and clothing the poor - before the occasion was marked by a week-long 'gŵyl mabsant' (or 'feast of the patron').

Over £600 was raised by the pilgrims in aid of Vale Foodbank, which has been facing increasing pressure amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Organisers say food donations at supermarket drop-off points has dropped by 15%, while demand for emergency parcels across the Vale has increased by 29% in the past 12 months.

Historian and foodbank organiser Graham Loveluck Edwards said: "The event was a lot of fun for everybody who took part, but of course there is a serious side."

"Food bank was never intended to be a permanent solution for people in the UK who do not have enough money to cover the essentials despite being in paid work or on benefits."

"Over recent months, we have been asking visitors to foodbank to lay it all out on the table. They have written comments on tablecloths we have provided outlining the causes, symptoms and solutions to poverty in our county."

"Those tablecloths were displayed at the start and finish of the event. People taking part, and those supporting us in other ways had a chance to read what people with lived experience are telling us, including a number of Barry and Vale councillors and our MP."

Organisers are hoping the St Baruc's Day event will drive more awareness of the foodbank's situation, leading to more donations.

They're also backing a nationwide campaign by The Trussel Trust to eliminate the need for foodbanks in the UK all together.

Labour MP for the Vale, Kanishka Narayan, who joined the pilgrims, said: "I have volunteered at foodbanks and I have seen the current need for the work they do."

“I share their vision and I am committed to work towards the phasing out and eventual removal of the need for food banks locally and across the UK.”

The pilgrimage itself took in Llancarfan Church and its striking 15th century murals, which capture such imagery as St George slaying the dragon, a dandy marrying a skeleton and a beast with multiple heads devouring those indulging in the seven deadly sins.

There was also a visit to Penn Onn, the birthplace of Iolo Morgannwg, while an archaeology expert from Cardiff University revealed some of the finds at the 6th century cemetery at Fonmon, before Nic Hodges from the Victorian Barry Experience discussed Barry's boom years.

th century chapel of St Baruc on Barry Island, before refreshments were given by volunteers at the Barry Island Community Centre.

For more information about the Vale Foodbank, visit their website.

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