LITTLE Alexander Wall was born on the day of this year's Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd – 12 months after his parents went through an impromptu fertility ceremony at last year's event.

Sian and Dom Wall were enjoying their wedding reception at the Afon Gwy restaurant in Bridge Street in January 2012 when the Wassail burst in and made them centre of the celebrations.

Mrs Wall, who works for Chepstow-based vets Marlows, said: "It seems to have worked because we now have a baby boy.

"He was nine days late so being born on Wassail day was a happy coincidence."

They headed from their home in Willow Close, Chepstow  to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport tat 2am on Saturday and Alexander was born about five hours later weighing 7lb 10oz.

Mr Wall said: "We hadn't been out all day so it took me half an hour to get the snow off the car."

Volunteers spent hours ahead of the planned start clearing snow and ice to ensure the event, organised by The Widders Border Morris group, went ahead.

Tim Ryan, one of the organizers told the crowd outside Chepstow Museum: "Our motto is strength in community and that has been shown today.

"Thanks to all the volunteers who turned out to clear the snow and thanks to the pubs – the Chepstow Castle, the Three Tuns and the Afon Gwy – for having us."

The weather meant the crowd was smaller than in previous years but the enthusiasm for the event was undiminished.

The unique event brings together traditions from either side of the border in a celebration of cultures.

The English Wassail is a rite for a good harvest and saw bits of toast hung on trees in the Castle Dell.

There was another Wassail at Elmdale on the Tutshill side of the river before the group went in procession with an apple cart to the meeting with the Mari Lwyd at the border in the middle of the old Wye Bridge.

The Mari Lwyd or Grey Mare is a tradition most associated with West Wales and involves men taking a horse's head around a town with singing competitions.

There was a competition on the steps of Chepstow Museum with the request for food and drink in Welsh before the Chepstow Wassail bowl, full of spiced cider, was passed around.