An ancient tradition of replacing river rushes on the floor of churches will be revived with a modern twist in a Conwy village church this weekend.

St Ffraid’s Church in Glan Conwy will be holding a rushing bearing service on Sunday 29 January at 4pm based on the legend of the church’s namesake, who is reputed to have looked after those going hungry.

The tradition of rush bearing is common in riverside churches, like Glan Conwy , which would have used rushes to carpet the dirt floor instead of  hay. Once a year the old rushes would have been cleared and new put in. This tradition has extra significance at the church of St Ffraid, explains the Mission Area Leader of Aberconwy Mission Area, Fr Sam Erlandson. He said: “The legend of St Ffraid says that during a local famine, St Ffraid in an act of either desperation or discontent, threw a bunch of rushes into the river Conwy after she had been praying for all those who were going hungry.  The rushes turned into fish and the people ate.

“This year after decades without the rush bearing service, we’ll be reviving this ancient and locally significant festival by inviting people to pray and take a collection for the local foodbank and the Aberconwy Care and Share project. These two important charities are in the spirit of St Ffraid who put the concern of those going hungry at the heart of her mission.

“Today the church of St Ffraid in Glan Conwy shares that same concern for those struggling during this cost of living crisis. All are welcome to the service.”

St Ffraid Church is part of the Aberconwy Mission Area which includes the communities of Deganwy and Craig y Don in Llandudno along the coast and stretches down the River Conwy to Llanrwst. It is part of the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses which make up the Church in Wales, an autonomous Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

All are welcome to the Rush Bearing Service at St Ffraid’s Church in Glan Conwy on Sunday 29 January at 4pm.