Ash Wednesday In Wales

I have been working on a book of daily readings at St. Deiniols Library, North Wales. Britain's largest residential library was endowed to the nation by former Prime Minister William Gladstone, who included provisions such as bursaries for poverty stricken clerics like myself.

On Ash Wednesday five resident students decided to make a pilgrimage to Pennant Mellangeth, a shrine in honour of an early Celtic saint and animal protector which survived the Reformation. There we prayed, lit candles for peoples' healing, and I was asked to try out a meditation from my forthcoming book - direct from my lap-top. We joined in Midday Prayer and were invited to the centre next door for soup.

This remote place would be derelict if heritage organisations had had their way. It took the vision of Rev Evelyn Davies and others, who drew support from Prince Charles and the locals alike, to make this happen. That's what our countries need. Reviving daily prayer and hospitality on ambient sites - in populous and remote places alike,