Mals Memories (From Penarth Times)

Mals Memories

DO you remember the old-time Whitsun Treats?

These were annual days out organised by Sunday Schools, and one of the favourite venues for churches from all over Cardiff and beyond was Dinas Powys Common.

I don't know about the visitors, but these extravaganzas were certainly popular with the local children, and excitement would mount as Whit Monday approached.

The weather always seemed to be on its best behaviour, and when the big day dawned the organisers from the various churches would arrive at The Common bright and early to select the best spots, and start erecting their tents, trestle tables, stalls and side shows.

Later, hundreds of children would arrive by coach and the fun would begin in earnest. There would be races and fancy dress competitions for the Sunday school scholars, but anyone could pay to have a go on the various funfair attractions or to try and win a prize on stalls like the ever popular coconut shy, or skittles.

At the end of the day after the picnics had all finished, if we were lucky, sometimes the local children were invited to finish off the sandwiches or cakes.

It may all seem very tame now in these days of computers and satellite dishes, when just about everyone has a car and can go where they like, but for the children involved it was special day.

I can't remember when the tradition came to an end.

I suppose it was inevitable with the decline in Sunday school attendance, but I look back to those days with great fondness.

This sort of simple pleasure when people largely made their own enjoyment seems to be dying out, and is something that the majority of today's children will never know.

*Malcolm Davies is a former editor of the Penarth Times. Mal's Memories are on the Penarth Times web site www.thisispenarth.co.uk