Category: Readers Articles of Interest

Success at Crufts

SUCCESS AT CRUFTS

I’m sure many people reading this will have at some point spotted my wife Carolyn, either walking around the village or over the playing fields training her three border collies.

She competes at the highest level of Dog Obedience in the UK. Last month she was again in Crufts competing with her top dog Luca. Luca and Carolyn won the title in 2022 when we were relatively new to the village.

 

 

This year she finished second in the competition, losing to the second placed dog from 2022. This then led to the pair doing the demonstration round in the main ring. Anybody interested in seeing the footage can see it on You Tube by searching ‘Dog Obedience Demonstration Crufts 2024.’

or here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLHvQpaZnQw

If ever you see her around the village she is always happy to stop and talk, especially if it’s about canines of any sort.

This year will in all likelihood be Luca’s last year in competition as he’s reached the grand old age of 11. Carolyn does however have two other Border Collies in the production line. Her bitch Eva (5) is likely to qualify for Crufts next year, while Luca and Eva’s son Asher will be entering his first year of competition this year.

 

 

The Arrival Of Spring

THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING

Here we are in April and Spring has arrived at last, a delightful season of nature awakening from its winter sleep, giving the landscapes vibrant colours and filling the air with the sweet fragrance of flowers. As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, there is a real sense of renewal and joy all around us.

In Wenvoe there are some great examples of colourful Magnolia trees. In Clos Llanfair, there is a splendid Red Maple, while in the grounds of the church, there is a beautiful Japanese Flowering Cherry which is at its best in mid-April. Taking a leisurely stroll beneath these blooming canopies becomes a delight for the senses, with the gentle rustle of petals falling like confetti and the perfume of the flowers creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

As the temperature rises, spring heralds the return of migratory birds, and their birdsong is a pleasure to hear. The dawn chorus becomes a daily concert, with robins, blackbirds, and thrushes joining in a harmonious celebration of spring. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts eagerly anticipate this time, armed with binoculars to catch a glimpse of the feathered visitors that have travelled thousands of miles to enjoy the milder climate of the UK.

Spring also marks the beginning of the gardening season, as green thumbs eagerly get their hands dirty, planting seeds and tending to their flowerbeds. The Chelsea Flower Show, held annually in May, is a prestigious event where gardeners showcase their horticultural masterpieces, inspiring others to embrace the beauty of nature in their backyard. The council allotments at Twyn-yr-Odyn become a hive of activity as gardening becomes not just a hobby but a communal activity, with neighbours sharing tips and seeds, encouraging a sense of community.

Traditional festivities and celebrations add a touch of colour to the season. Known as Calan Mai or Calan Haf, the first day of May was an important time for celebrations and festivals in Wales, as it was considered the start of summer. May Day would be the time of year when herds would be turned out for pasture, and families would move their livestock from the valley (Hendre) to their summer pastures on higher land (the Hafod).

Years ago, at the dawn of May Day, people in villages and surrounding farms would be woken by May carol singers. They would visit each house, sometimes with a verse dedicated to the family. The aim of these visits was to bring good luck to each of the families and to wish them a fruitful summer after the hardship of winter.

In England, Morris dancers with vibrant costumes, adorned with ribbons and bells, perform lively routines to welcome the arrival of spring. Maypoles are erected, and villagers come together to dance and celebrate the arrival of spring.

At Easter, another ancient tradition brings families together for feasts and egg hunts. The sight of daffodils and tulips in full bloom serves as a colourful backdrop to Easter gatherings. Hot cross buns, with their spiced aroma, become a family favourite during this time, enjoyed with a generous spreading of butter. The cross on the bun reminds us of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Welsh countryside becomes a patchwork quilt of rolling green hills dotted with lambs frolicking in the fields. Spring is the season of new life, and witnessing the playful antics of these sweet lambs is a lovely sight that captures the essence of the season. Families and friends often take countryside walks to enjoy the fresh air, less muddy paths, and the sights and sounds of spring.

 

 

Musings On Friendship

MUSINGS ON FRIENDSHIP

‘The only way to have a friend is to be one’
Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

‘Love demands infinitely less than friendship’
George Jean Nathan

‘The severest test of character is not so much the ability to keep a secret as it is, but when the secret is finally out, to refrain from disclosing that you knew it all along.’

 

‘It is easier to find fault with others, but it is not so easy to live so that others will not see faults in us. We tend to criticise our friends for doing things we could do no better.’

‘Yesterday is but a reflection
Today is now
Tomorrow is a bonus.’
Jim Billingsley

‘Choose your friends with care, that you may have choice friends.’

 

‘I breathed a song into the air,
it fell to earth, I know not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
that it can follow the flight of song:-
The song from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.’
(Excerpt) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘The anxiety of some people to make new friends is so intense that they never have old ones.’

‘People are lonely because they build forts instead of bridges.’
Joseph Fort Newton

‘Who ceases to be a friend, never was one.’

‘A real friend never gets in the way, unless you hap-pen to be on the way down.’

‘True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.’
Charles Caleb Colton

 

‘Life is not so much what each individual makes of it, but what we make of it for each other.’

‘Shared joy is double joy and shared sorrow is half-sorrow.’

‘Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.’

‘Do not save your loving speeches

For your friends till they are dead;

Do not write them on their tombstones,

Speak them rather now instead.’

Anna Cummins

 

 

David Davies – My Part In Preserving His Heritage


David Davies – My Part In Preserving His Heritage

The previous three editions of What’s On have contained articles by Ann Jones and Stephen K Jones about David Davies, Top Sawyer and Entrepreneur of Llandinam, Montgomeryshire.

It is now my turn to add personal recollections about this great man and his many achievements.

My story goes back to the late 1970s when I was employed by the then Penarth based consulting engineers Wallace Evans and Partners. This firm undertook many commissions for highway improvements and by-passes throughout mid and west Wales. These included a cluster of three projects in and around Llandinam that were being undertaken contemporaneously. I was posted to Llandinam to be the Resident Engineer to oversee the construction of these.

We learned from Ann’s article in What’s On that when David Davies initially moved on from farm and timber sawing his first project, in 1846, as a contractor was to construct the abutments for a new cast iron bridge spanning the River Severn at Llandinam. Included in that contract was the construction of a revetment wall some 3 or 4 metres high between the river and the road above. Whilst the work that David Davies did was perfectly adequate for the time, that road became the main trunk road between south and north Wales, ie the A470.

Increasingly heavy traffic was taking its toll on the integrity of the revetment, to the extent that the possibility of its imminent collapse forced the need to construct a new mass concrete retaining wall which was faced on the river side with the original revetment masonry.

Our reconstruction project became the subject of a national tabloid inspired controversy. The original contract envisaged that the retaining wall would be topped with a substantial metal parapet which was reported as being a motorway style crash barrier and totally unsuited for a rural village setting. Before our works commenced, there had been a low wall upon which local lads would sit to woo and canoodle with their lasses. Shock horror that such an amenity would be no more. The Sun newspaper mounted a campaign demanding that the erstwhile “Love Wall” be reinstated. After some while and deliberation by the then Welsh Office, it duly was!

The second project was a junction improvement in the village which required the construction of a tall reinforced concrete retaining wall to support the graveyard of St Llonio’s church. It is in this graveyard that David Davies is buried and it would have been embarrassing for him to have come crashing down into works being undertaken by latterday jonnies.

The third job was the removal of “Black Bridge” and a realignment of the A470 trunk road near Llandinam. The bridge carried the road somewhat dangerously with two double bends over the line of the then closed Llanidloes to Newtown railway. That railway was yet another David Davies contract constructed in 1855. As well as removing the bridge, the opportunity was taken to widen and improve the alignment of the A470. To achieve this land adjacent old road which was owned by the Davies family had to be acquired. This brought us into contact with the current Lord Davies who at that time lived in Plas Dinam. He is a Chartered Engineer, who as well as running a local construction company was also, and still is, heavily involved in many national enterprises such as the promotion of the Wales Millenium Centre, the Welsh National Opera and many development projects in mid Wales.

Plas Dinam had been bought by David Davies in 1884 but now the present Davies family have “down sized” and they manage the building as a Country House Hotel and Wedding Venue. Interestingly, for a short period during the war Gordonstoun School was relocated from Scotland to Plas Dinam to ensure the safety of the schoolboys. The house also housed an Agricultural College for a period after the war.

To close, a few words about Broneirion. This 20 bedroom Italianate Grade II listed building, which stands on the west bank of the River Severn in Llandinam, was built for David Davies in 1864. In 1946 Broneirion became the Welsh Training Centre for the Girlguiding Association and between 1992 and 1995 Girlguiding Cymru purchased the properties and grounds at a very advantageous price and have used them since as the HQ for Girlguiding in Wales. Sadly, in 2023, the Guides could no longer afford the upkeep of the property and therefore it was put up for sale. It could be yours, with lots of land and ancillary buildings, for a cool two and a quarter million (which has recently been reduced from three million pounds).

Tony Hodge

Saint David – the Patron Saint of Wales


Dewi Sant – Nawddsant Cymru
Saint David – the Patron Saint of Wales

 

Dewi was the Bishop of Mynyw in South West Wales – what today is called St David’s – in the 6th Century. The date of his birth is not clear but it is generally accepted that he died on March 1st in the year 589. He could very possibly have been one of the first speakers of this new language – Welsh – which had recently been developing from Brythonic. His mother’s name was Non and his father, Sant or Sandde was the son of Ceredig, king of Ceredigion. Some traditions claim that he was born during a storm outside St David’s – where the ruins of Non’s Chapel can be seen today. But it is more likely that he was born in Henfynyw, outside Aberaeron in Ceredigion. Much of what we know of Dewi’s life – and the traditions and miracles attributed to him – are recorded in a hagiograhy (biography of a religious leader) ‘Buchedd Dewi’ (The life of David) which was written by Rhygyfarch in the 11th Century.

Dewi’s teacher was a monk called Peulun – Paulinus – who himself had studied under Saint Illtyd (who had established his monastery and centre of learning in Llanilltud Fawr – Llantwit Major). One of Dewi’s first miracles is said to have been the restoring of Peulun’s sight when he be-came blind. Dewi became a renowned teacher and preacher – and his fame spread far and wide. About 1200 monasteries were founded in his name in Wales and as far away as Devon, Cornwall and Brit-tany. His base was the Celt-ic monastery which he es-tablished at Glyn Rhosyn (Moorland Vale) in Pem-brokeshire – where St David’s Cathedral stands to-day. Life at the Glyn Rhosyn Monastery was hard – as David’s rule prescribed that the monks had to pull the plough themselves without the help of animals – and like Dewi himself, they were to drink only water and eat only vegetables and bread with salt and herbs.The monks spent their evenings in prayer, reading or writing. Sometimes it is said that as a self imposed penance Dewi would stand up to his neck in cold water, reciting scripture! As a missionary, he travelled throughout Wales, southern England and Brittany and even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop.

Many miracles are ascribed to Dewi, including raising a dead child back to life and restoring Peulun’s eyesight. But the most famous miracle associated with him is the formation of a hill beneath his feet when he was preaching to a large gathering at Llanddewi-brefi. (As if Wales needed another hill!!!). And during this sermon, a white dove is said to have settled on his shoulder – which explains why the Saint is often depicted with a white dove. The adoption of the leek as the emblem of Wales can also be ascribed to Dewi. It is said that when the Welsh were in battle against the Saxons, David advised the Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could be distinguished from the enemy.

During and after Dewi’s lifetime, St David’s grew in importance as a place of pilgrimage – attracting pilgrims from all over Britain and the Continent. Scholars believe that Rhygyfarch’s ‘Life of David’ helped promote St David’s in importance – in its competition with Canterbury. It was decreed that two pilgrimages to St David’s were equal to one to Rome – and that three equalled one pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We know that Dewi’s popularity in Wales was firmly established by the 10th Century. In the poem ‘Armes Prydein’ (The Prophecy of Britain) – composed in the 10th Century, the manuscript of which survives, – the author prophesises that all the Celtic peoples will unite to fight off the Anglo Saxon armies – and do so under the banner of Dewi. So it is evident that Dewi was recognized as the leader of the Welsh people by that time. By the way Dewi’s banner is still widely flown – you may have seen it and wondered what it represented. It comprises a gold cross on a black background.

Dewi is thought to have died on March 1st in the year 589 and of course, March 1st is known as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (The day of the festival of Dewi) – St David’s Day. It has been recognized as such since the 12th Century. Today, on that day, school children dress in national costume and adults wear a leek or a daffodil (introduced by David Lloyd George, who wasn’t enamoured of the leek as an emblem!!) to commemorate our Patron Saint. Dewi, of course, is the only Patron Saint in the four countries of Britain and Ireland who was born in the country of which he is the Patron Saint. (Andrew was one of the Apostles; Patrick was born in Britain – possibly in Wales; George was a Cappadoccian Greek and a soldier in the Roman Army),

Dewi’s last sermon is widely quoted at this time of the year of course. Translated, it says –

‘Be happy. Keep your faith and beliefs – and do the little things which you have heard and seen me do’.

Still good advice – even after fifteen hundred years!

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus iawn i chi i gyd.

A very Happy St David’s Day to you all.

Ann M. Jones

Update from Councillor Russell Godfrey


Update from your Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Russell Godfrey

On the 20th January we had the induction session at the outdoor exercise equipment at Station Road Playing Fields, which was attended by our MP Alun Cairns and many members of the Wenvoe Community. A good and informative time was had by all. Just to remind you tennis rackets and tennis balls are available for loan from the Wenvoe Library.

The new fencing around the Tennis Courts should be completed by the beginning of March.

On the Weekend of 3rd & 4th February, 8 drain covers were stolen along Old Port Road (38 across the Vale) these have now been replaced by the VOG.

We also appear to be experiencing an increase in Fly Tipping in the area. Can I please ask that if you see any suspicious activity, that you try to get a vehicle registration number (if applicable) and report it to either the Police or if applicable the VOG Council or myself.

The installation of the Toucan Crossing at the Walston Castle is now well under way. I have also been informed that the new Care Home on Port Road is planning to open in March.

I would also like to welcome the new owners to our Village Shop and to say farewell to Anwar and his family (although I believe they are continuing to live in the village).

If you have any issues/suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me or pop along to one of my monthly surgeries. On the third Saturday of every Month between 10am & 11am

Email: regodfrey@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Tel: 07927 588924

Russell Godfrey Councillor

Elected Member – Wenvoe Ward

 

Daffodils At The Ready And Not Just For St David’s Day


DAFFODILS AT THE READY AND NOT JUST FOR ST DAVID’S DAY

St David’s Day has long been associated with daffodils and they have become a symbol of Wales, not least because they bloom around the 1st of March each year. The humble ‘daff’ has always been special to us here in Wales and now its importance is about to reach new heights.

Daffodil in Welsh is ‘Cenhinen Bedr’ which literally translates into English as ‘Peter’s Leek. Wild daffodils can be found all over Europe from Wales to Germany and down to Portugal. The sub-species known as the Tenby Daffodil is usually regarded as the ‘true’ St David’s Day daffodil. It grows in the wild across South Wales and is notable because the flower is completely yellow.

Although daffodils have bloomed in Wales for thousands of years, it seems they became a popular symbol from 1911. In that year David Lloyd George, of Welsh descent and the only ever British Prime Minister whose first language was Welsh, advocated their use at the investiture ceremony when Edward VIII was made Prince of Wales. Before this, the leek was a much more common emblem worn by Welsh people. The origin of this likely dates back to the Battle of Crécy in 1346 when Welsh archers defeated French soldiers in a field of leeks. Back home, leeks were worn to honour their bravery which became an annual tradition on St David’s Day. Leeks were a popular food for many centuries and were used for medicinal purposes, but their association with St David’s Day is thought to be linked to the Tudors who had strong Welsh roots. Tudor royal household accounts list several payments for leeks in connection with St David’s Day and Henry VIII is said to have presented his daughter with a leek for the festival.

Today many of us prefer to celebrate our national day by wearing a daffodil as we have been encouraged to do so since we took part in the annual St David’s Day Eisteddfod at school or perhaps when supporting the Welsh rugby team. The Glamorgan cricket team are just one of the Welsh teams to have adopted the daffodil on their badges and crests. The Cardiff City crest sported a daffodil and Welsh dragon before owner Vincent Tan revised it, much to the annoyance of many Bluebirds fans. Not to worry though. The daffodil is a resilient species. Cut daffodils placed in a vase with other flowers will kill the others due to natural poisons, while daffodils in the wild will outlive you if they are left undisturbed. Perhaps this is a sign that the old City badge will return when the Malaysian businessman leaves town.

Nowadays daffodils are developing a much wider significance than being the national flower and symbol of Wales. Daffodils for example, produce ‘galantimine’ which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Current research suggests that the daffodil could also make a major contribution in dealing with global warming. Scientists from Scotland’s Rural College are reporting that daffodils could provide the key to more sustainable livestock farming. Currently cows are responsible for 14% of greenhouse gases globally and as much as 50% of methane emissions in the UK. Adding an extract called haemanthamine obtained from daffodils to livestock feed, has been shown to reduce methane in artificial cow stomachs by 30%. Andrew Evans, of Welshpool, Powys is one farmer enthusiastically testing the new method. “It’s the national flower of Wales isn’t it, so we’re quite keen on that,” he said. “There are governments across the world currently trying to meet net-zero by either taxing livestock farmers or putting quotas on the number of livestock you can have because of this methane by-product. This research gives us a very real opportunity to change that story.”

So get your daffodils ready for March 1st and in future keep your eyes open. A Welsh legend has it that if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your coming year will be filled with wealth!

 

David Davies And Gwyn Griffiths

 


DAVID DAVIES AND GWYN GRIFFITHS

I was very interested to read Ann Jones’article on David Davies of Llandinam which reminded me of a story told to me by the late D. Gwyn Griffiths. Gwyn was a worldwide authority on reclamation who led the way in pioneering methods for the removal of coal tips who I knew from the Welsh Development Agency and the South Wales Institute of Engineers Educational Trust (SWIEET 2007), of which he was a Trustee. Barry dockland was one of the reclamation projects he was involved with and when work was being carried out around the former Barry Dock offices, he told me that the statue of David Davies had to be moved off its plinth. There was, however, a problem when it was moved with the statue hitting the ground causing damage to David Davies’ head! It was repaired but according to Gwyn the head was no longer at the same angle as it was originally and thus slightly different to the replica and counterpart at Llandinam! If this is true has anyone noticed?

According to a contemporary account the Llandinam committee in seeking a tangible memorial to commemorate David Davies, saw a number of examples of work by other sculptors, but decided that Alfred Gilbert’s work (which had been commissioned by the Barry committee) was the best and they arranged to have a replica for erection at Llandinam at a cost of a thousand guineas – half the cost of the Barry statue. (Bye Gones, 21 June 1893 pp 105-6)

Incidentally following Gwyn’s death in 2020, it was decided to sponsor two prizes of £500, both awarded by the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative (WHSI) as part of SWIEET’s educational role. WHSI hold an annual competition for schools in Wales and one prize was named in honour of Gwyn. The Gwyn Griffiths Prize for the best project has a focus on ‘green issues’ and highlights environmental and improvement issues of a locality with a former industrial background and thus reflects Gwyn as an expert in these matters. The other prize is the William Menelaus (named after the founder of the forerunner of SWIEET, the South Wales Institute of Engineers) Prize for the best project that focuses on an aspect of the industrial heritage of Wales, or historical individuals or groups involved in Welsh industrial development, see https://swieet2007.org/

Last year Gelli Primary School in Rhondda Cynon Taf was awarded the Gwyn Griffiths prize with their study of ‘Black Gold’ focussing on the coal mining heritage and an understanding of the current and future issues linked to the coal industry. They used a wide range of sources, which they examined critically, to gain valuable knowledge not just on mining in general, but the social and environmental struggles this brought. They gained sufficient knowledge to enable them to question their local MP on the issues of coal tips near their school. Ffaldau Primary School, Bridgend, won the William Menelaus Prize for best project on industrial heritage with their ‘Industry in Wales, Past, Present and Future: Power of Wales’ project. Go to https://www.whsi.org.uk/ to find out more.

An image of the information panel that was at the centre of my December 2023 Wenvoe What’s On article is attached, sadly Owen Eardley the artist, passed away just before this was unveiled at the Barry War Museum, now the Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre. This was his last work Owen made a great contribution to highlighting historical engineering and famous engineers as part of the Institution of Civil Engineers programme of commemorating engineering and raising the general public’s awareness.

Stephen K. Jones

Something Different – About Pigs


SOMETHING DIFFERENT
– ABOUT PIGS

Personally, I like pigs as an animal. Being a vegetarian, I don’t like pork or the ubiquitous bacon sandwich that so many love – particularly the smell of cooking bacon. While out walking recently, for no apparent reason, quotes in relation to pigs started being shared amongst the group. Here are a few.

“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” – Winston Churchill

“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty and besides, the pig likes it. ” – George Bernard Shaw

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “What’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said. – A.A. Milne.

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm

“I am very proud to be called a pig. It stands for pride, integrity and guts.” – Ronald Reagan

“These are bagpipes. I understand the inventor of the bagpipes was inspired when he saw a man carrying an indignant, asthmatic pig under his arm. Unfortunately, the man-made sound never equalled the purity of the sound achieved by the pig.” – Alfred Hitchcock

“Thou frothy tickle-brained hedge-pig!” – William Shakespeare.

A 1933 song by Benjamin Hapgood Burt.

One evening in October, when I was one-third sober,

An’ taking home a ‘load’ with manly pride;

My poor feet began to stutter,

So I lay down in the gutter,

And a pig came up an’ lay by my side;

Then we sang ‘It’s all fair weather

When good fellows get together,’

Till a lady passing by was heard to say:

‘You can tell a man whose “boozes”

By the company he chooses’

And the pig got up and slowly walked away.

Nicola

Are You Ready To Celebrate?


ARE YOU READY TO CELEBRATE?

 

While February 14th is of course Valentine’s Day, a closer look at this month’s calendar reveals a host of ‘important’ events and milestones. If we obey February’s call to arms, we will be supporting a host of admirable causes as well as eating numerous Yorkshire puddings, somehow and preferably with a fine set of chopsticks.

Many of the key dates aim to promote good causes and positive outcomes. The United Nations has been behind many of them including on the first day of the month, the start of World Interfaith Harmony Week. The United Nations sponsored International Day of Women and Girls in Science follows on Sunday 11th.

Co-incidentally two of the celebrations are not only celebrated on the same day but were founded in the same year, 1995. Celebrated on the 17th of the month, we find Random Acts of Kindness Day, when we are urged to help elderly neighbours or others in need, smile at strangers and even pay for the coffee order of someone behind us in the queue! World Spay Day founded by The Doris Day Animal League is also on 17th. This promotes spaying, or neutering cats and dogs as a means of saving the lives of abandoned animals. In 2002, the goal was to spay and neuter 200,000 pets across the US. On that note, 22nd February, many Wenvoe residents will celebrate National Walking the Dog Day, which at least two of them, Dolly and Charlie, seem to think is every day….unless it rains!

In the UK some of our offerings although notable, are perhaps a little less noble. British Yorkshire Pudding Day, is celebrated on the first Sunday of February. The Yorkshire pudding first recorded in 1737, was devised as a way to conserve the fat that would drip off a roasting fowl or side of meal. In poorer quarters they would be served before the main meal to dull the appetite before the sparingly served meat course. If you are inclined to make your own, remember that according to the Royal Society for Chemistry, “A Yorkshire pudding isn’t a Yorkshire pudding if it is less than four inches tall.” Stranger still perhaps is National Chopsticks Day on February 6th. Practice using chopsticks, teach someone how to use them or have a family competition. If you join in remember there are several etiquette rules. Don’t point your chopsticks at other people and don’t leave your chopsticks stuck vertically in your food. That’s associated with death.

World Groundhog Day on February 2nd is celebrated in the US and Canada. If a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. The event started in Pennsylvania in 1887 when people named the forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, now a local celebrity. While Phil is the most well-known, other states have their mascots, such as Pothole Pete in New York or Buckeye Chuck in Ohio. Publicised by the Bill Murray movie of that name, current celebrations include festivals that draw crowds of around 40,000 people and are broadcast on TV. In the best quarters, matters are hosted by local officials, wearing top hats and speaking in Groundhogese!

Some ‘days’ don’t quite seem to have the best name. Did you know the average person spends 38 days of their lifetime brushing their teeth, a practice started by the ancient Egyptians c5000BC. While we should celebrate and promote this fine daily routine, perhaps a more positive title than National Toothache Day (February 9th) could have been chosen for this special day. Finally, we can all look forward to a really big day on Tuesday 27th.. Let’s all hear it for World Non-governmental Organisation Day!

 

1 2 3 … 12