St David's Day stays important for Sophie

St David's Day, which falls on March 1, is an important day for Welsh children.

Four-year-old Sophie Banks was born in Wales and although her parents are not Welsh, she has special Welsh god-parents.

Although the family now lives in Wanganui, Sophie's mum Deanna ensures the little girl remembers the country of her birth.

Dressed up in her Welsh national costume, made especially for her by her Welsh godmother, on Wednesday Sophie celebrated St David's Day or "eistedddfodau" as children's activities are called.

In Wales, children take part in school concerts, with recitations and singing being the main activities.

To celebrate St David, everyone in Wales wears a Welsh symbol on their lapel, either the daffodil or the leek.

Welsh cakes, a cross between a scone and pikelets, are given out.

On Wednesday, Sophie celebrated a day early because she was off to her pre-school Smart Start, which she does not attend on Thursday.

She wanted to celebrate with her friends so they all made Welsh cakes, and sang Welsh nursery rhymes.

In the afternoon, still dressed in her Welsh costume, she delivered Welsh cakes to her grandmother and later to her father, a teacher, and boys at Wanganui Collegiate School.

Mrs Banks said before they left Wales two years ago, they had promised Sophie's godparents Sophie would always honour St David's Day.