Gulf Coast St. David’s Welsh Society
Wales flag
Daffodils are the national flower of Wales
The leek has been a symbol of Wales for hundreds of years. St David, the patron saint of Wales, told Welsh soldiers to wear the leek on their helmets, so they could better spot each other when in battle against the Saxons who wore similar armour. The tactic worked and secured the Welsh army a great victory.
Cardiff Bay Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Photo by Peyton Wells on Unsplash
The Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society of Sarasota, Florida, was established in 1984 to celebrate St. David's Day on March 1. This volunteer organization is comprised of people of Welsh Heritage, Welsh citizens who live in or visit Sarasota, and people who love Wales and its music. The Society hosts a picnic in the fall, an Annual Meeting in January, a St. David's Day Celebration on March 1, and informal gatherings. Committee meetings as well as activities are open to all. Annual membership is $10 per person. If you have any questions, email us at sarasotawelsh@gmail.com. All are welcome.
Upcoming Events
THE GULF COAST ST. DAVID'S WELSH SOCIETY INVITES YOU TO HAVE LUNCH AT BECKHAMS BRITISH RESTAURANT, 8579 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL IN THE TARGET SHOPPING CENTER AT CENTRAL SARASOTA PARKWAY, SOUTH SARASOTA
Saturday November 9 AT 12:30
RSVP by November 7 to Meryl Fell merylfell@hotmail.com
941-922-0276 - Landline; 941-909-4351 - Cell Phone
November 16, Saturday: Memorial service and reception honoring Don Hughes, First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple St., Sarasota, 10 a.m.
November 19, Tuesday: St. Petersburg Welsh Heritage Society Tuesday noon early Thanksgiving luncheon at St. Dunstan's Anglican Church, 2790 Sunny Breeze Ave., Largo, FL . Contact Jean James for details: 1jam1@tampabay.rr.com or 727-944-5494.
November 24, Sunday: Welsh Society Annual Family Picnic, Pinecraft Park 1420 Gilbert St., off Bahia Vista in Sarasota, beginning at noon. Everyone brings a dish to share and your family's beverages. Enjoy games, reports, Welsh items for sale, singing, socializing, and welcoming back our seasonal members. Members free; $5 adult guests.
November 28, Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving! Counting our blessings!
December 13, Friday: Scottish and Welsh Societies combine for a Holiday luncheon at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club, 8801 Stoneybrook Blvd. Sarasota, entrance on Central Sarasota Pkwy, just east of McIntosh: send reservation check for $36 to Caledonian Society c/o Shona Burtner, 6092 Wilshire Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238. (Invitation attached)
December 13, Friday: "A Celtic Christmas", 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Oak St., Sarasota. Get there early. We went the last two years and seats filled up very early.
December 15, Sunday: Brit Club Holiday luncheon at Stoneybrook Country Club. Reservations: sarasotabritclub@gmail.com and mail your $35 cheque to P.O. Box 21063, Sarasota, FL 34276.
Looking ahead in 2025:
February 1, Saturday: Highland Games and Celtic Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds:
March 1, Saturday: St. David's Day; luncheon celebration at Stoneybrook Country Club. Details to follow.
Annual Membership Dues
Our $10 per person dues are now being received by our Treasurer. Make your check payable to: Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society and send it to P.O. Box 19343, Sarasota, Florida 34276.
You may pay your dues @
$10 per adult at any time to:
The Treasurer
Gulf Coast St David's Welsh Society
PO Box 19343
Sarasota, FL 34276
Checks should be made payable to:
The Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr,
gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O budded i'r hen iaith barhau.