THE Penarth Cytûn (Council of Churches) annual retreat to Ynys Byr (Caldey Island) was an outstanding success.

Caldey Island is about five miles from Tenby and the retreat began with a boat trip across the channel which was surprisingly smooth despite the brisk wind. The 18 people from Penarth and district who all enjoyed the boat trip included members from eight Christian Churches and one follower of Buddha.

They were creatively led in daily studies in all four days of the visit by the Rev Kevin Davies from Capel Bethel who highlighted the significance of the five senses and experiences in relation to them in our daily lives.

Members were fortunate with the weather in this rather disappointing summer with sufficient sunshine to enable swimming to be one of the options offered while others explored the delights of this beautiful island.

Members all went at least once a day to the Abbey Church attached to the main Monastery building where Abbot Daniel and the other monks lived. Guest master was Brother Titus who again gave a delightful talk which included many of the poems he had written in the past year.

They were all given copies of the poems plus an appropriate photograph from his collection.

The highlight of the visit was the Communion Service in St Illtyd’s Church on the last day of the visit. In the evening they were once more entertained and informed by the Rev Kevin Davies and thanks was made to him for his leadership and also to Heather Ralis who had once more organised a successful annual retreat.

It is intended that a further visit will be made next year and anyone interested should look out for details when they become available.