WITH the full fanfare of the Church in Wales, the Dean and Chapter of Newport's Cathedral of St Woolos gave a 75th birthday party for itself, an act of both thanksgiving and praise.

The service attended by church and civic dignitaries was led by the Dean of Gwent's mother church the very Reverend Dr Richard Fenwick was conducted in splendour and harked back to the earliest origins of the Church.

The Dean and Chapter - which comprise Dr Fenwick, the archdeacons of Newport and Monmouth and the 10 canons of the Chapter - combined magnificence with a quiet dignity as one of the milestones in the post-war history of the cathedral was marked.

The institution of a Dean and Chapter goes back to before the 16th century reformation to a time when monks would gather to sing the offices of the church.

The institution therefore predates the diocesan structure.

"In 1920 when the Church in Wales was disestablished - in other words ceased to be the official religion of Wales - it was felt that a newly independent church should have more than just four bishops and so the Diocese of Monmouth was formed from the Diocese of Llandaff," the Rev. Mark Soady, a minor canon of the Cathedral and in charge of ceremonial, said.

"There was considerable debate at the time about which should be the Cathedral.

"The priory churches of Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow and Usk were all considered as was the possibility of building an entirely new Cathedral at Bassaleg, a suggestion that did not bear fruit on grounds of cost.

"After 10 years it was decided that St Woolos in Newport which has the greatest population and has also been a place of pilgrimage since the fifth century should have the honour."

Llanelli-born Mr Soady - who before ordination was personal assistant and press secretary to the late Roy Jenkins MP - said the celebrations had a significance beyond the Church in Wales.

"Before the Welsh Assembly we were the only body that spoke for the entire country.

"The service was conducted according to the new Church in Wales eucharist service and reflected a balance of what the moment represented.

"Of course it was to the glorification of God but it was also something of a pat on the back."