Project Britain.com

Remembrance Poppies

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:03:00 +0000

Question sent via email:

Can you please tell me why Scottish Remembrance Poppies have no green leaf and English Poppies do?

Kathleen McDonald

poppyscotland.org.uk answer:
"Unlike the English poppy, the Scottish poppy has four petals and no leaf. Apart from being botanically incorrect, to put a leaf on each of our poppies would cost £15,000 each year, money we feel is better spent on supporting veterans and their dependants in Scotland."

Money raised from the selling of poppies in Scotland goes to the Earl Haig Fund, where as the money raised in the rest of the UK go to the Royal British Legion. Could this also be the reason why the poppies are different, so people know where the money will go?

Visit projectbritain.com for more about British life and culture.

River Thames Frost Fairs

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +0000

13 January is St Hilary's Day has gained the reputation of being the coldest day of the year due to past cold events starting on or around this date.

Can you imagine the River Thames freezing over so much that a fun fair could be held on the ice? Well that did happen about four hundred years ago. The worst cold spells in Britain occurred between 1550 and 1750. The climate during this time was known as the Little Ice Age, when winters were so cold that the Thames froze over each year.

Henry VIII is said to have traveled all the way from central London to Greenwich by sleigh along the river during the winter of 1536 and Elizabeth I took walks on the ice during the winter of 1564.

Find out more on our Facts about January page
http://projectbritain.com/year/january.htm

Plough Monday

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Monday (9 January) is known as Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night. Molly dancing on Plough Monday was an important ritual for agricultural workers, as well as pulling a decorated plough and a man dressed head to toe in straw.

Visit our page on Plough Monday to find out more

Twelfth Night London

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:47:00 +0000

Twelfth Night is an annual seasonal celebration held on the Bankside by Shakespeare's Globe, in London. It is a celebration of the New Year, mixing ancient Midwinter seasonal customs with contemporary festivity.

See the photographs

Mummers Play - a piece of Christmas History

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Mummers' Plays (also known as mumming) have been performed throughout the UK for hundreds of years. They are folk dramas based on the legend of St. George and the Seven Champions of Christendom. The word 'mummers' comes from the Middle English word mum, meaning silent.

The principal characters are St. George, The Turkish Knight, Doctor and several men-at-arms who challenge St. George to a duel and are subsequently slain. The Doctor enters and demonstrates his skill by resuscitating the dead knights.

See photos and read more about Mummers' Plays
http://projectbritain.com/Xmas/twelfthnight/mummers.html

When is Twelfth Night?

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:14:00 +0000

Twelfth Night (5th January) is when all Christmas Decorations should be removed so as not to bring bad luck upon the home. If decorations are not removed on Twelfth Night, they should stay up all year.

But when is Twelfth Night? Many people are confused when Twelfth Night is. We have written an easy to read explanation on when Twelfth Night is.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/twelfth.htm

Advent

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the period of time during which Christians celebrate the first coming of Christ and anticipate the second coming. Advent is the new year of the Christian Church and is the church season that leads to Christmas Day.
Click here to read more about Advent

Often the first sign of Christmas in a British home is the children's advent calendar. It starts on the first day of December. The calendars are a fun way to help children to know when Christmas Eve will arrive, an important night for them because Father Christmas will visit them bringing gifts.
Click here to visit our online Advent Calendar (starts 1 Dec.)

William Wallace

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:33:00 +0000

The first celebrity to be hanged, drawn and quartered died 23 August 1305.

Who is William Wallace?

William Wallace is one of Scotland's most famous historical figures. He fought for Scotland's independence over 700 years ago, leading his army in raids on English forces and in major battles at Stirling Bridge and Falkirk.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/WilliamWallace.html

English Civil War

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:31:00 +0000

The first English Civil War, between the Parliamentarians and Royalists, took place at Edgehill on 22 August 1642. . Few people could have predicted that the first two civil wars would have ended with the public execution of Charles I.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/civilwar.html

Christopher Robin

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:30:00 +0000

Christopher Robin Milne, son of A.A. Milne author of "Winnie the Pooh", was born on 21 August 1920 in Chelsea, London.

A.A. Milne got his inspiration for "Winnie the Pooh" from his son Christopher's toys. Christopher received a teddy bear for his first birthday called Edward Bear. It was renamed Winnie-the-Pooh after a Canadian black bear at London Zoo called Winnipeg and a swan in West Sussex called Pooh. Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, Kanga and Roo were also stuffed toys of Christopher's.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/christopher.html

Orville Wright

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:58:00 +0000

Orville Wright was born near Millville, Indiana on 19 August 1867. At the age 18 he started a printing business with his brother Wilbur. They were known as "The Wright Brothers" and later started a bsiness repairinf and selling bicycles.

What are the Wright Brothers famous for?

Orville and Wilbur Wright built the first successful airplane and made the first heavier-than-air machine that took off on its own power, remained under control, and sustained flight. On 17 December 1903, their powered aircraft, 'Wright Flyer', flew for 12 seconds above the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

The first flight with Wilbur Wright running along the right side of the aircraft

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/august.html

Helium discovered

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:56:00 +0000

On 18 August 1868, a French astronomer spotted an unknown element, now known as helium, in the spectrum of the sun during a much-anticipated total eclipse.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/august.html

First road traffic accident UK

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:54:00 +0000

17 August 1896: First recorded road traffic accident occurred. Bridget Driscoll, aged 44, was on her way to a fête at Crystal Palace in south London, when a car being demonstrated at the palace ploughed straight into her. She died within minutes.
http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/

First Atlantic Balloon Crossing

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:53:00 +0000

On 17 August 1978, three American balloonists made the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon.

Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman and Max Anderson took six days to complete the flight from Maine in the US to France. They travelled the 3,000 miles (4,800 km) in a 65-foot (20-metre) diameter gondola named The Spirit of Albuquerque powered by a helium-filled balloon.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/

King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:51:00 +0000

King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 on 16 August 1977.

Who was Elvis Presely?

Elvis Presley was an American musician and actor. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on 8 January 1935.

Elvis Presley made his first television appearance on 3 March 1955.

Why is Elvis famous?

Elvis is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth-century popular culture. He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music, with sales of approximately 1 billion worldwide

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/elvis.html

Anniversary of the Berlin Wall

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0000

On 13 August 1961, communist East Germany built a wall in the dead of night and for 28 years kept East Germans from fleeing to the West. The wall stood as a symbol of the Cold War until it was opened on 9 November 1989 by the East Germans.

Find out more

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/August/berlinwall.html

Glorious Twelfth

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:46:00 +0000

12th August marks the start of the grouse shooting season and is traditionally known as the Glorious Twelfth.

Red Grouse

The Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) is a medium-sized game bird found only in the British Isles, being a subspecies of the Willow Grouse of Europe, Asia and North America. It breeds on the heather moors of northern Britain.

The season lasts from 12 August to 10 December on mainland Great Britain and from 12 August to 30 November in Northern Ireland. Throughout this period shooters from all over the world head for the moors of Scotland and northern England.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar

British or English

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Hi, Im from the U.s. and I was wondering what is the difference between Britain, England, and the UK. Second, what do ya'll call yourselves, British or English(...U.K.ish...LOL ;))? Please Help!
John

Visit projectbritain.com for more about British life and culture.

Maundy Thursday 2010

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:44:00 +0000

Today, 1 April 2010, is known as Maundy Thursday. It is a Christian festival with a 800 year old royal tradition.

Maundy Thursday was the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, sharing a meal with them which we call the Last Supper.

In those days it was usual for a servant to wash the guests feet on arrival. Jesus got up and washed his disciples feet, giving them an object lesson in humility and service.

In the UK, the custom of washing feet by the Monarch was carried out until 1689. Up until then the King or Queen would wash the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday in Westminster Abbey.

Today, the Queen follows a very traditional role of giving Maundy Money to a group of pensioners. In 2010, the Queen will visit Derby Cathedral and will present Maundy purses to 84 men and 84 women to mark her age.

You can read more about Maundy Thursday on our website
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/easter/maundythursday.htm

Do you have a similar custom in your country?

Why the name 'Good Friday' ?

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0000

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Day.

The name is derived from 'God's Friday' in the same way as good bye is derived from 'God be with ye'

In Germany, the Friday before Easter is called Silent Friday, and in Greece, Holy or Great Friday.

Further Reading
Good Friday Superstitions

Sunday 5th April 2009 - Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week
Thursday 9 the April 2009 - Maundy Thursday
Friday 10th April 2009 - Good Friday
Sunday 12 April 2009 - Easter Sunday / Easter

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Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:44:00 +0000

This coming weekend, starting Friday 2nd April, is known in the UK as the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. It is so called because it starts with a public holiday on Good Friday and ends with a Bank Holiday on Easter Monday. The two holidays) mean that many families will spend a long weekend away on holiday or visiting relatives.

Easter weekend is a favourite time for children in Britain, like in many countries around the world, as Sunday, Easter Day, will be the day when they will receive many chocolate eggs to eat.

Easter is the oldest and the most important Christian Festival, the celebration of the death and coming to life again of Jesus Christ. For Christians, the dawn of Easter Sunday with its message of new life is the high point of the Christian year.

Further Reading
What are bank holidays?
History of Bank Holidays
What is Good Friday?
Why the name 'Good Friday'?
Easter Sunday / Easter
Easter Monday

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History of British Summer Time

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:36:00 +0000

The UK is now on British Summer Time (BST) after moving clocks forward one hour last night.

In the UK we change our clocks and watches by one hour, twice a year.

We've been changing our clocks forwards and backwards in the UK since 1916. William Willett, a businessman and keen horse-rider - first proposed the idea of British Summer Time in 1907 in a pamphlet entitled 'The Waste of Daylight'. Willett had noticed that the summer mornings light was wasted while people slept, and that the time would be better utilised in the afternoon by putting the clocks forward. After campaigning for years the British Government finally adopted the system a year after Willett's death.

Please let us know when you change your clocks.

Should Mothering Sunday be called Mothers Day?

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Mothering Sunday in the UK is different from Mother's Day in other countries, not only in name but also as a moveable feast (the date changes each year and can even be in different months). I believe it is important to hold on to a name, so that we can identify with our roots and understand why we celebrate certain special days at different times each year. Am I wrong to think this?

Should Mothering Sunday be called Mother's Day?
Should Christmas be called Xmas?
Should Easter be called Chocolate Egg Day?

Below is a comment left in our guestbook. .

"Mothering Sunday is the old-fashioned name and was the way it was known many years ago. On flowery greetings cards in the UK, you do still see Mothering Sunday quoted, but it's mostly just Mother's Day. "

Mothering Sunday is British. Like Boxing Day, there is a special reason why we call it Mothering Sunday.
You can find out why on our website
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/easter/mothers.htm

Should the British call it "Mothering Sunday" or we should adopt the name "Mother's Day"?

We would be interested to hear your thoughts

(Did you know you can follow us on Twitter?
http://twitter.com/ProjectBritain )

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Kissing Friday and Nippy Hug Day

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:10:00 +0000

On the Friday of Shrove Week, English schoolboys were once entitled to kiss girls without fear of punishment or rejection, a custom that lasted until at least the 1940s.
In Sileby, Leicestershire, this day was also known as Nippy Hug Day. There men could demand a kiss from the woman of their choice, but if their petition was denied, they had the right to louse, or pinch, the woman's posterior-- perhaps mimicking the pinching of lice.

Kissing Friday ends a week of special names and customs

Shrovetide
Egg Saturday - Shrove Saturday
Quinquagesima Sunday - Shrove Sunday
Collop Monday - Shrove Monday
Pancake Day - Shrove Tuesday
Lent
Ash Wednesday -
Old English Custom
Kissing Friday

Read more about Shrovetide

Read more about Shrove Tuesday Customs

Folklore and traditions during the month of February

After the pancakes comes Ash Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (M Barrow) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:20:00 +0000

Shrove Tuesday marks the end of Shrovetide and is a day we celebrate by eating pancakes. It is actually a Christian holiday, but most people celebrating it by eating pancakes will not realise that. Click here to read more about Shrove Tuesday.

The day after Shrove Tuesday is know as Ash Wednesday, and is again a Christian holiday.

Do you know the answers to the following questions:

What is Ash Wednesday?
What starts on Ash Wednesday?
Why is it called Ash Wednesday?
What happens on Ash Wednesday today?
What are the ashes made from?
Why are last years Palm Crosses recycled?
What do the ashes symbolise?

The answers can be found on our Ash Wednesday page
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