Casgliadau Arlein

Letter, 1971, from Alan George (Newport, Mon.) concerning the 'New Year's Water' custom - '... this custom still exists in Tenby, Pembrokeshire; or at least was still in existence up to 1965 when I unfortunately left the area. The custom has declined in meaning and has now become more a form of collecting money - and I doubt if the children going round the houses are aware of the way in which the New Year's Water was once distributed ... When I lived in Tenby it was usual for a group of children to come around at about 8am to 9am on New Year's day with a cup of water and an evergreen twig. I doubt, however, that the water had been collected from a spring - it was probably tap water. They would ask if we wanted New Years Water and would sprinkle some on the doorstep. They did not actually enter the house as described in earlier times ...' (see Trefor M. Owen, Welsh Folk Customs, p.43.)