Armistice Day

What is Armistice Day

Armistice Day is celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the peace agreement signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I. This took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

Although this “official” date to mark the end of the Great War reflects the ceasefire on the Western Front - hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire.

In the UK the day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.

The date was also declared a national holiday in many allied countries also to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I with the exception of Italy. In Italy the end of the war is commemorated on 4 November - the day of the Armistice of Villa Giusti.

After World War II the name of the holiday was changed in different countries:

America - Verterans Day 

Countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations – Remembrance Day

France and Belgium - Armistice Day

The Significance of the Poppy

The red remembrance poppy has become a very familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields".

These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

How is Armistice Day Commemorated in the UK?

In the United Kingdom two minutes of silence are observed on 11 November every year (whatever day of the week the date falls in) however the main observance is on the second Sunday of November - Remembrance Sunday. The beginning and end of the two minutes' silence is often marked in large towns and cities by the firing of ceremonial cannon however if a cannon is not available “The Last Post” is played on a bugle to introduce the start of the two minutes silence whilst the sounding of “Reveille” ends the two minutes silence. Also church services frequently incorporate one minute's or two minutes' silence within their Sunday service.

Second Sunday of November:

The Queen laying a wreath at the Cenotaph

Ceremonies are held at local war memorials throughout the country and are usually organised by local branches of the Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion is an association for ex-servicemen. Typically poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown (the Royal Family) / the armed forces and local civic leaders (such as the Mayor of the town / city or head of the local parish). Local organisations such as: ex-servicemen organisations / cadet forces / the Scouts  / Guides / Boys' Brigade / St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army are also involved.

11^th November:

Wreath-laying ceremonies are observed at many war memorials across the UK at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November led by the Royal British Legion. 

Wreath laying in a local village

Many employers and businesses invite their staff and customers to observe the two minutes' silence at 11:00 am both on the second Sunday of November and 11^th November (if the Remembrance Day falls on a different day)  

The First Ever Two Minute Silence in London

The Silence

“The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect. The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition. Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all. “

Manchester Guardian, November 12^th 1919 – thanks to:

http://www.thetwominutesilence.co.uk

Written by: Andria Owen 

5th November - Guy Fawkes Day / Bonfire Night

Guy Fawkes Night / Guy Fawkes Day / Bonfire Night / Firework Night is a celebration held annually on 5^th November.

The History of Bonfire Night:

Guy Fawkes

Its history begins with the events of 5^th November 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. The Gunpowder Plot was a group of Catholic men led by Robert Catesby who plotted to kill King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament. The plot itself was extremely simple: the next time Parliament was opened by King James I they would blow up the Houses of Parliament and everyone in it. To this end the plotters purchased a house next door to the Parliament building – the house had a cellar which extended under the Parliament building and therefore the plan was to put gunpowder under the house and blow up Parliament and the King.  

Guy Fawkes was given the job of watching over the barrels of gunpowder and lighting the fuse however on the morning of the 5^th November soldiers discovered him hidden away in the cellar and arrested him. Guy was taken to the Tower of London where he was tortured and questioned. Initially he said nothing about his co-conspirators however eventually after more torture he succumbed and told the soldiers all they wanted to know.  

To celebrate the fact King James I had survived an attempt on his life people lit bonfires around London and months later the King introduced the Observance of 5^th November and enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

Politics & Religion:

Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day as it was known became the predominant English state commemoration however as it carried strong religious overtones it also became a focus for anti-catholic feeling. Puritans delivered sermons regarding the perceived dangers of popery, while during increasingly raucous celebrations common folk burnt effigies of popular hate-figures – for example: the Pope. During the 1850s changing attitudes eventually resulted in the toning down of much of the day's anti-Catholic rhetoric and in 1859 the original 1606 legislation was repealed.

What does the Guy and Fireworks Represent?

Towards the end of the 18^th century reports appear of children begging for money with effigies
of Guy Fawkes and 5^th November gradually became known as Guy Fawkes Day. The effigy (the Guy) is made out of old clothes stuffed with paper or straw – the Guy being a reminder of Guy Fawkes. Children would take their Guys out in the streets and ask for “a penny for the Guy” which would pay for fireworks – the fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar of Parliament.

Today’s Guy Fawkes Celebrations:

In the end the violence was dealt with and by the 20^th century Guy Fawkes Day had become an enjoyable social celebration although it does lack much of its original focus. The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated at large organised events that are centred on a bonfire and extravagant firework displays.

Bonfire Societies:

The Bonfire Societies of Sussex (and its close neighbours) are centred on Lewes – the seven Societies always hold their celebrations on 5^th November. Other Societies hold their events anytime between mid-September and the end of November and the Societies attend each other’s processions.

The torchlight processions are followed by fireworks and the burning of an effigy with everyone attending having a good time whilst in the process of raising thousands of pounds for various charities and good causes. For a more in depth history in to the Bonfire Society and a complete list of Bonfire Societies – both running and defunct please follow the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_Bonfire_Societies

Local Traditions:

Towns such as Lewes and Guildford saw increasing scenes of violent class-based confrontations in the 19^th century which have developed into traditions that these towns continue to commemorate today although today the tradition is peaceable.

Tar Barrels being carried in Ottery St Mary 

In Ottery St Mary – Devon they have a Tar Barrel tradition where teams of men carry a flaming 50lb tar barrel on their shoulders through the streets of the town. When the tar barrel gets too hot for the man carrying it another member of their team tales over / then another and so on and so on until the flames die out and there is nothing left of the barrel. For much more information about this tradition please check out the following link:

http://www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk/index.html

Edenbridge – Kent hold an annual celebration on the first Saturday of November. Here you will see the largest free-standing effigy of Guy Fawkes in Britain. A more recent tradition that has been started is the addition of a “Celebrity Guy” – this is a figure that is newsworthy and can be a national or international figure. Both effigies stand 30ft in height and are designed to self-destruct through a series of incredible explosions. More information can be found following this link:

Parkin Cake 

http://www.edenbridgebonfire.co.uk/

Traditional Bonfire Night Foods:

Soup

Hot Potatoes (wrapped in foil)

Sausages (cooked over the flames)

Bonfire Toffee

Parkin Cake (a Northern form of gingerbread)

Marshmallows (toasted in the fire)

For more recipes and ideas please check out the following link: http://britishfood.about.com/od/bonfirenight/tp/top10bonfirerecipes.htm

Bonfire Night Rhymes

Remember, Remember

Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot!
A stick or a stake for King James' sake
Will you please to give us a faggot
If you can't give us one, we'll take two;
The better for us and the worse for you!

Another version of Remember, Remember

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent 
To blow up king and parliament. 
Three score barrels were laid below 
To prove old England's overthrow. 

By God's mercy he was catch'd 
With a darkened lantern and burning match. 
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring. 
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him? 
Burn him!

Bonfire’s Burning (to the tune of: London’s burning)

Bonfire’s burning, Bonfire’s burning,

Getter hotter, Getting hotter,

Fire, fire! Fire, fire!

Rocket’s whizzing, Rocket’s whizzing,

Sparklers fizzing, Sparklers fizzing

Enjoy your 5^th November :D

Written by: Andria Owen

Halloween Symbols and the Meanings Behind Them

Witches

Witches were feared and it was believed that their “powers” were at their greatest on the night of Halloween.  It was thought that witches were in league with the devil and that meant burnings at the stake / dunkings and much worse for women – some of whom had never so much as touched a cauldron or a broomstick.  The image of a witch riding her broomstick across a full moon is one of the most traditional Halloween symbols or images today.

Jack O’Lanterns

Originally Jack O’Lanterns were hollowed-out turnips with candles inside them which would light the way for “guisers” to go from house to house to beg and pray.  Eventually the tradition changed to carving pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns as we know them today were born. One legend about the Jack-o-lantern tradition is as follows: An Irishman named “Stingy Jack” was a known drunk and prankster and he managed to make both God and the Devil angry.  He died and neither heaven nor hell wanted him so he was stuck wandering around on earth.  He carried a turnip, hollowed out with a candle inside – this was to light his way. To keep “Stingy Jack” from knocking on their door the Irish carved scary Jack-o-lanterns to put around their homes to keep him away.  Or so they believed and so a tradition (and legend) was born.

Masks and Costumes

Back in Celtic times celebrators of Samhain would wear costumes in order to treat the roaming spirits of the dead.  It was thought that if you could trick the spirit - the spirit would then refrain from bothering you about things such as: tributes and respect.  On a night when the “veil” between the spirit world and the natural world was so thin it was best to pretend to be someone else.  In the early 20th century Americans started wearing costumes for Halloween which was celebrated but not with the Celtic beliefs in mind (at least, not for everybody).  In the 1950′s trick-or treating became very popular in the United States but it actually started out in Great Britain and Ireland as something called “Souling,” Souling was a visiting custom carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries mainly by children but was previously done by adults. As far back as the Middle Ages poor adults or children would go door to door collecting handouts in return for their prayers for the dead. 

Ghosts

Since Samhain not only celebrated the end of harvest but also those who had passed into the next “realm” it was called by some a “festival of the dead.”  The idea of ghosts plays into this and it is said that Halloween night is the one night of the year that the spirits of our ancestors are able to walk among the living. 

Skeletons

As Halloween is seen as the “night where the line is blurred between the living and the dead thing” skeletons are a symbol of Halloween for that reason.  The skull in particular is a symbol used by many different cultures to represent either the brevity of human mortality / the fear of death or danger that can result in death.  If you think about the Jolly Roger symbol on pirate ships (skull and crossbones) – it was there to threaten other ships into surrendering without a fight.  In other religions skulls feature on the necklace of the Hindu goddess Kali / over the head of Yama – the Buddhist Lord of Death and the list goes on.  The Druids and Celts believed that the skull was the “psychic seat” of the human soul. Skulls and skeletons are associated with Halloween because they represent the end of the physical part of life / they are something that is connected to Halloween both because of the death of the “light” seasons and also because of the perceived connection to the spirit realm.

Black Cats

There are some ancient cultures who believed that on Halloween night the veil between the living world and the spirit world was - if not lifted entirely - at least a little thinner.  Ancient Celtic religions taught that cats were reincarnated souls of humans and that they were able to see the future. It was thought that witches could turn into cats.  Even those who thought that was farfetched believed cats to be the “familiar” of witches.  Truth be told many single ladies were thought to be witches and just like today - many of the single ladies had cats.  Therefore if you were the “local cat lady” in the 1600′s you would most probably have been tried for witchcraft.

In the 1600′s and 1700′s several different cultures would hold a bonfire in June on St. John’s Eve and they’d throw cats into said bonfire.  King Louis XIV of France forbade this practice but French villages kept doing it for more than a hundred years after the practice was abolished.  Thus is the superstitious power of the cat.

Bats

Bats are nocturnal creatures so it’s natural that a celebration about the end of the light seasons and the beginning of the dark ones would incorporate them.  Additionally in the old days big bonfires were lit at Halloween which would draw mosquitoes and moths to them which in turn would draw bats therefore bats were common sight during the early Samhain festivals and later Halloween celebrations.  Certain groups thought that bats were able to communicate with the dead however this was never proved as the bats can’t communicate with the said groups.  Also once vampire legends found their way into Halloween folklore the position of the bat was guaranteed as it was thought that vampires could transform into bats. 

Spiders

The spider’s spinning of its web is a great natural representation of the cycle of life – a spider spins its web / bugs fly into the web / nourish the spider / etc. 

The Colours Orange and Black

The colours - orange and black are representations of the time of year rather than any Halloween lore or mythology.  The colour orange represents Autumn when the leaves change from green and orange pumpkins are ripe for picking.  The Celtic festival of Samhain marked the transition between “light” days and “dark” days – so the black likely represents those dark days of Winter when there are fewer daylight hours to attend to the fields and crops

Corn Husks and Stalks of Wheat

The significance of corn husks and stalks of wheat is pretty straightforward.  Halloween comes in the Autumn - the traditional festival of Samhain celebrates the end of summer and the end of the harvest so these images are meant to represent the end of harvest and the beginning of winter.  Corn and wheat are symbols of agricultural change and the change of the seasons. 

Written by: Andria Owen

National Apple Day

National Apple Day

Apple Day is an annual celebration of apples and orchards held on the 21^st of October each year and is mainly celebrated in the United Kingdom.

Apple Day was founded by Common Ground – a charity and lobby group in 1990 and has been celebrated each year since by people organising hundreds of local events. Common Ground’s focus for Apple Day is a celebration of the hundreds of apple varieties which over the years seem to be ignored in favour of a handful of supermarket-friendly strains yet also demonstrates that variety and richness matter to a neighbourhood and that it is possible to effect change in “your place”.

Common Ground has used the apple as “a symbol of the physical / cultural and genetic diversity we should not let slip away. In linking particular apples with their place of origin Common Ground hope that orchards will be recognised and conserved for their contribution to local distinctiveness and including the rich diversity of wild life they support.”

Apple Day events can be large or small from apple games in the garden to large village fetes that include: cookery demonstrations / games / apple identification / apple juices / cider / gardening advice and of course many different varieties of apples.

More recently Apple Day has evolved into a weekend event usually taking place on the Saturday and Sunday closest to the 21^st October although a number of venues now simply use the term Apple Day for their own events which can take place anytime during the second half of October.

The first ever Apple Day was held on 21^st October 1990 in Covent Garden - London.

Places that celebrate Apple Day

Tring - Hertfordshire: events throughout October including Tring's Own Apple Fayre at Jeacock's Orchard. Visit www.tringapplefayre.com for a full list of events and more details.

Cromford near Matlock in Derbyshire will be hosting its 17^th annual Apple Day on Saturday October 20^th (today) on Scarthin Promenade from 1p.m. until 5 p.m. As is usual the central activity will be pressing apples to juice (you’re advised to bring your own apples / plastic bottles / a chopping board and knives) - there will be Morris Dancing / Folk Music / stalls / games / a demonstration of tree-trunk-carving and an apple pie / crumble / strudel / tart competition - bring your entry along. If the weather is inclement a marquee will be erected. For more information check out: http://www.cromfordvillage.co.uk/

Peterborough – Cambridgeshire: The Green Backyard will be hosting their own Apple Day on Sunday 21^st October between 11am – 4.pm. You’re advised to bring along your foraged apples for events such as: apple bobbing / cider pressing / wild food mapping and a longest peel competition.

Why not try apple-bobbing?

For more information please check out:

https://www.facebook.com/thegreenbackyard/posts/127744677373414

Written by: Andria Owen

St George's Day

What and when is St George’s Day?

St George’s Day is England’s National Day and is celebrated on the 23^rd April.

Who was St George?

It is believed that Saint George was born sometime during the late third century between AD 275 and AD 285 into a Christian family in Lod Syria Palaestina and he died in Nicomedia. His father - Gerontius was a Roman army official from Cappadocia (Eastern Turkey) and his mother - Polychronia was from Palestine. Both his parents were Christians and from noble families of Anici so as a child St George was raised with Christian beliefs. They decided to call him Georgius (Latin) or Georgios (Greek) which means "worker of the land". At the age of 14 - George lost his father and a few years later George's mother - Polychronia, died. George decided to go to Nicomedia - the imperial city of the time and present himself to Emperor Diocletian to apply for a career as a soldier. Diocletian welcomed him with open arms as he had known his father - Gerontius who had been one of his finest soldiers. By his late 20s George was promoted to the rank of Tribunus and stationed as an imperial guard of the Emperor at Nicomedia.

In the year AD 302 Diocletian issued a proclamation that every Christian soldier in the army should be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Roman Gods of the time. George objected to this and with the courage of his faith he approached the Emperor and ruler. Diocletian was genuinely upset as he did not want to lose his best Tribune and son of his best official - Gerontius. George rejected the Emperor's edict and in front of his fellow soldiers and Tribunes he claimed himself to be a Christian and declared his worship of Jesus Christ. Diocletian attempted to convert George – offering him gifts of land / money and slaves if he made a sacrifice to the Roman Gods. The Emperor made many offers but George accepted nothing.

Understanding the futility of his efforts Diocletian was left with no choice but to have him executed for his refusal to comply. Before the execution George gave his wealth to the poor and prepared himself. After various torture sessions - including laceration on a wheel of swords in which he had to be resuscitated three times George was executed by beheading before Nicomedia's city wall on April 23 AD 303.

A witness of George’s suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius - a pagan priest to also become Christians and therefore they joined George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lydda in Palestine for burial where Christians soon came to honour him as a martyr.

St George – Patron Saint

St George is not only the patron saint of England – he is also patron saint of many other countries and cities which include:

Countries:

·         Bosnia & Herzegovina

·         Bulgaria

·         Canada

·         Catalonia

·         Croatia

·         Cyprus

·         Greece

·         Georgia

·         Republic of Macedonia

·         Romania

·         Serbia

Cities:

·         Beirut – Lebanon

·         Genova – Italy

·         Ljubljana – Slovenia

·         Moscow - Russia

·         Qormi & Victoria – Malta

He is also celebrated in the old “Crown of Aragon” in Spain which includes: Aragon / Catalonia / Valencia and Majorca.  

How Do We Celebrate St George’s Day?

The tradition of celebrating St George’s Day waned towards the end of the 18^th Century after the union of England and Scotland. However the link with St George continues today in various ways. Salisbury holds an annual St George’s Day pageant – it is believed the origins of this pageant go back to the 13^th Century.

In more recent years there has been resurgence in popularity for St George’s Day and in 2006 BBC Radio 3 had a full programme St George’s Day events and also the Conservative MP for Romford even put the argument forward in the House of Commons to make St George’s Day a public holiday.

In 2009 Boris Johnson the Mayor of London spearheaded a campaign to encourage the celebration of St George’s Day.

Today we celebrate St George’s Day in various ways such as: Morris dancing / Punch & Judy shows / fly the St George’s flag (pubs in particular) / some people even choose to wear a red rose in their lapel (this is a very old custom) / traditional English foods and drink (for example: afternoon tea) may be eaten.

Another custom is for the hymn: “Jerusalem” to be sung throughout cathedrals / churches and chapels on St George’s Day or the closest Sunday to St George’s Day

The Legend of St George and the Dragon

The legend (story) of St George and the Dragon goes as follows:

St George had been travelling over land and sea for many months until he finally arrived in Libya. When he arrived in Libya he came across a poor hermit who told St George that the land and its people were in great distress as a dragon had been ravaging the country for many months.

The poor hermit told St George that the dragon had demanded the sacrifice of beautiful young maidens and now the only young maiden alive was the daughter of the King. The poor hermit told St George that unless the people of the land found a brave knight to slay the dragon the King’s daughter would be sacrificed the following day. The King of Egypt had agreed to give his daughter in marriage to the knight who overcame the dragon.

When St George heard this tale he was determined to attempt to save the Princess so that night he rested at the hermit’s home and when dawn came he set out to the valley where the dragon lived. Upon nearing the valley St George saw a procession of women that was being led by a beautiful maiden who was dressed in pure Arabian silk. The beautiful maiden was the King’s daughter – Princess Sabra and the women in the procession were her attendants. St George overtook the ladies and comforted them with brave words and persuaded all the ladies to go back to the palace – he then went into the valley.

The dragon saw St George immediately he entered the valley and rushed from its cave roaring at him. The dragon’s head was huge and its tail was more than fifty feet long. St George was not afraid (or at least did not show any fear) and struck the dragon with his spear hoping to wound it but because the dragons scales were so hard the spear broke in two and St George fell from his horse. He was fortunate in that there was an enchanted orange tree that he rolled under and because poison could not get through the dragon was not able to hurt him. This allowed St George time to recover his strength until he was able to fight again.

He fought the dragon with his sword however the dragon poured poison on him splitting his armour in two – St George again retreated to the orange tree to regain his strength and once he was fully recovered he faced the dragon again. This time he rushed at the dragon and pierced it under the wing (where there were no scales) and the dragon fell dead at his feet.

Enjoy your St George's day - whatever you're doing :D

Written by: Andria Owen