A HISTORIC meeting of the Welsh and English on the border was not hampered by the weather.

The Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd went ahead on Saturday, in front of an audience of around 300 people.

While some of the morris dancers were unable to make it from places like Cornwall and West Wales, people did come from Abergavenny and the Rhondda Valley despite the snow and made the day a success, its founder reported.

Mike Lewis said the event is based ancient customs, the Welsh bringing good luck to people with horse skulls dressed in a shroud and the English doing the same with the blessing of apple trees and a request for a good harvest.

They then wish each other a happy new year.

He said: “It’s a show of unity between the English and the Welsh and it was fantastic this year. The pubs were full and there were still a lot of people despite the weather.”

After the border meeting and a full programme of entertainment, the celebrations continued with a ceilidh at the Drill Hall until 11pm.