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
Memorial Day Commemoration
Monday, May 25, 2026 beginning at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend the Annual Service sponsored by the Rotary Club of Arcadia, honoring British flyers who died while training in central Florida during World War II. Members of the British, Scottish and Welsh Societies in western and central Florida present wreaths and attend the service each year. Here are the names of the young Welshmen buried there: Alfred Thomas Lloyd, Thomas John Parry, and Mervyn Hugh Ernest Thomas.
Please respond if you plan to attend and want to join us for lunch afterward, and also let us know if you have room for passengers. It begins at 10 a.m. at the British Plot at Arcadia's Oak Ridge Cemetery (Allow appx. 1 1/4 hour driving time from Sarasota). Lunch will follow the event at Arcadia's highly rated Yellow Deli, at 22 Polk Avenue.
NORTH AMERICAN FESTIVAL OF Wales, September 2-6, 2026, Springfield, MA.
Schedule of Events:
Debut of Welsh language theatre with Parti Priodas!
*Thursday concert with Eve Goodman and Gwilym Bowen Rhys
*Saturday concert with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Rhys Meirion and Jess Robinson
*Gymanfa Ganu directed by Tim Rhys-Evans and accompanist David Enlow
Annual Membership Dues
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.