IN January it hosts the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championships. June sees the renowned Man v Horse Marathon come to town. And, in August, people from across the globe launch themselves into a peat bog for the World Bog Snorkelling Championships.
So then, is it surprising to anyone that residents in the small Powys town of Llanwrtyd Wells spend the last day of their year following a man carrying a decorated horse's skull on a pole around town, bearing flaming torches and signing songs at front doors in exchange for food and drink?
The 'Mari Lwyd New Year Walk-In' is an end-of-year tradition in Llanwrtyd, based upon the ancient wassailing folk custom.
The tradition entails using an eponymous hobby horse which is made from a horse's skull, mounted on a pole and carried by an individual hidden under a sackcloth.
Originating in about 1800, the Mari Lwyd was a tradition performed at Christmas time by groups of men who would accompany the horse on its travels around the local area; typically including an individual carrying the horse and individuals dressed as stock characters such as Punch and Judy.
The men would carry the Mari Lwyd to local houses, where they would request entry through song. The householders would in turn be expected to deny them entry, again through song, and the two sides would continue their exchanges. If the householders eventually relented, the team would be permitted entry and given food and drink.
Walkers leave the town square at 10.30pm, returning in time for the big midnight countdown and more celebrations.
“One of the great nights in Llanwrtyd Wells is New Year’s Eve,” said Green Events, organisers of all of Llanwrtyd’s weird and wacky events, in a post on their Facebook page.
“This year our very own Samba band drummed in the square and crowds with lighted torches, followed the ‘man’ to Llanwrtyd Hall and the Abernant to act out the ancient Welsh tradition of the Mari Lwyd.
“At each stop refreshments were served and the man engaged in banter and challenged the establishments to give him access and refreshments. Everyone got back to the town square as the Samba band drummed in the New Year.
“Back in the Neuadd Arms the Dangerous Dave rock band took us into the early hours. What a night.”
The Mari Lwyd New Year Walk-In returned in 2021 following a Covid-19-enforced hiatus.
A few years ago, Llanwrtyd was voted as one of popular holiday destination and accommodation website Stay in Wales’ top four destinations for New Year’s Eve, thanks to the popularity of the event and the large crowd it attracts.
For more information and updates, see the Neuadd Arms website, visit www.green-events.co.uk or phone 01591 610236/610333. Visit the Green Events website for a list of all this year’s events – with 2023 kicking off with the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championship, which is taking place on Saturday, January 14, at the Manor Adventure Centre.
Photographs by Adam Hughes.
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