A Welsh village in the very west of Wales celebrates the New Year in the middle of January as part of a centuries-old tradition.

The Gwaun Valley, near Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, has a population of nearly 300.

Every year it celebrates the Hen Galan (the Old New Year) on 13 January.

As part of the village’s festivities, children go from house to house singing for money or sweets in a tradition known as “hel calennig”.

Bonni Davies is one of the editors of the local newsletter, Y Llien Gwyn.

She told Sky News the community bases its annual celebration on the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar which is followed in most of the world.

“According to the old calendar that we used to have, [the new year] fell then on 13 January and the people of the Gwaun Valley decided that they would carry on celebrating on the same day as usual,” she said.

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The tradition dates back to 1752 when the Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in Britain.

“That’s what happens now is children come around singing and wishing us all a happy New Year and they’ll have a welcome in every place,” Mrs Davies said.

They take part in the custom of “hel calennig” where they go around the houses with well-wishes and receive gifts in return.

“In our house, for example, everyone is welcome to come in. The table is full and they help themselves to what they want,” she added.

“They have a cup of tea or something cold, something like that. We’re delighted to welcome them and delighted to hear them.”

Mrs Davies is pleased the celebrations span all generations.

“What’s lovely about the night of Hen Galan is that everyone in the area comes out,” she said.

“From a baby to 80- or 90-year-olds, everyone will come out and socialise with one another.”

Ruth Evans is a teacher at Ysgol Llanychllwydog primary school.

She told Sky News it’s “really important to keep the tradition going”.

“We’re quite unique here, there aren’t many places left that celebrate the Old New Year,” she said.

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The day falls on a Saturday this year, but if the Hen Galan falls on a weekday, the school makes sure children still get the chance to celebrate.

“If there are children in school, we take that little group around the houses that are closest to the school to sing for ‘calennig’ for them to have a taste of the tradition,” Mrs Evans added.

“Even people who move into the valley adopt the tradition and get the ‘calennig’ and things ready. It’s important to the area.”

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