Flower Festival
26th - 28th June 2008
Photographs courtesy of Peter Elliott and Graham Harris

St. Gwladys (c.460- c. 523)
Princess Gwladys was the daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog. She married Gwynllyw (St Woolos)and reigned with him as a pious and wise monarch, tempering his, often rash, behaviour. They became the parents of SS. Cadog, Eigion, Cyfyw, Maches & Glywys. Later in life Gwladys lived as a hermit at Pencarnau and Gelligaer. The Celtic Cross slab found at Gelligaer is thought to be her memorial.
A vivid and vibrant display to energise and stimulate.
Located in the church porch the display 'Welcome'
greeted visitors to St Mary's.

The Flower Festival saw St Mary's Church graced with creative and eye-catching floral displays by the Newport Floral Society.

This event incredibly raised more than £11,000 with approximately £3,000 being donated to Mary's Meals and approximately £8,000 to Saint Mary's Raise the Roof Appeal.

Near the main entrace was the display dedicated to
St Michael, Archangel and Defender of the Faith.
To the rear of the church and rising up the steps to the choir loft the display depicts the Newport Chartists. The bright blooms reflect the hopeful Chartists clambering over the foundations of St Mary's on their way to the Westgate.
The crucifix in the side alcove shows the display dedicated to St Woolos also known as Sant Gwynllyw. He was the husband of St. Gwladys and father of St. Cadoc,
a hermit of Wales.
This splash of light and colour depicts St Anne,
mother of Mary, wife of Joachim
and the Patron Saint of Midwives.
W.H.Davies Newport's "Tramp" Poet.
The poet was born in
Church House,
6 Portland Street,
Pillgwenlly, Newport.
This decorative basket shows the talent and skill of the members of the Newport Floral Society.
"The Annunciation" spectacularly adornes Our Lady's Altar.
The lectern provided a dramatic backdrop for the display dedicated to Blessed Antonio Rosmini (1797-1855).
He was an Italian priest, philosopher, theologian and patriot, and founder of the Institute of Charity and the Rosminian Congregation.
Rosmini died on the Feast of The Precious Blood.
High on the Sanctuary this display is dedicated to St David.
The vivid colours of St David's Flag are contrasted by the
elegant white of the displayed lilies.
The simple yellow daffodils remind us that St David is the
Patron Saint of Wales and this beautiful bloom
one of the emblems of Wales.
At the back of the sanctuary the magnificence of the Reredos (high altar screen) is adorned simply to enhance its decorative beauty.
To the right of the Sanctuary was the display dedicated to St David Lewis (1616-1679).
Born in Abergavenny, St David Lewis was later executed there as a Jesuit Martyr,
one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
St Patrick's Altar was home to this splendid display in his honour. Although born a Welshman Patrick was taken as a slave by Irish raiders, where he was held captive for 6 years before he escaped back to Britain.
The lush green evokes images of the Emerald Isle where he returned to carry out God's work.
We
Will
Remember
Them
The breath-taking beauty of these matching displays was a fitting tribute dedicated to those of St Mary's who lost their lives during World War 1 and World War 2.
The side altar was also home to the display to commemorate the Medieval Ship (c 1465). The ship was unearthed from the bank of the River Usk in June 2002 during excavation work for the construction of the
Riverfront Theatre.
St. Basil the Great (329-379)
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
now the Patron Saint of Hospital Administrators.
St Basil was one of the group of great oriental theologians.
He was a model diocesan bishop and visited every part of his diocese continually, he organized a hospital for the sick poor, and like all ancient bishops he preached very frequently,
some of his courses of sermons, which are major theological works, have been preserved.
Swags of dried and pressed flowers decorate the balcony.
A host of stars appears to decorate the statue of the Sacred Heart.

The Gothic Arch columns supported the series of floral displays commemorating the Charge of the Light Brigade.This was a disastrous cavalry charge led by Lord Cardigan during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War. It is best remembered as the subject of a famous poem entitled 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, whose lines have made the charge a symbol of warfare at both its most courageous and its most tragic.

Godfrey Morgan (1831-1913)the 2nd Baron Tredegar served in the Crimean War in 11th Lancers, and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade on his charger "Sir Briggs". He survived the massacre unscathed and returned to Newport with his trusty steed which was stabled at Tredegar House. Lord Tredegar became a great benefactor to the town and a patron of many organisations.

This dark doorway recess housed a brightFloral Pedestal.
This aerial view of the church provides a stunning overview of many of the floral displays, as well as the outstanding architecture and artworks of St Mary's Church.

Simon Peter was the first pope, Prince of the Apostles, and with St. Paul founded the See of Rome.

In Luke's Gospel we are told that Peter caught so large an amount of fish that he fell down before the feet of Jesus and was told , “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”. Jesus also gave Simon a new name: Cephas, or the rock.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus, Peter acknowledged him as "... the Messiah, the son of the living God”. Christ responded by saying: "... you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.... ”.

A special year will be dedicated for the bimillennium celebrations of the birth of the Apostle Paul.
This PAULINE YEAR will begin from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009.

Paul is the first apostle to have the experience of only the Risen Christ, as all Christians will continue to have through the centuries. Paul was both a Jew and a Roman citizen, born in Tarsus (Eastern Turkey).

Paul is the most well-known figure of the first Christian generation, both for his Letters and for the story of his life described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. His Letters represent an extraordinary source of information for us. Nonetheless the figure of Paul remains mysterious.

Poem-Song of the Flower
by Khalil Gibran