Useful Dates » February

Facts about February

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:51:36 +0000

The signs of the zodiac for February are:
Aquarius – January 21st to February 19th
Pisces – February 20th to January 20th

February’s birthstone – Amethyst

Special weeks in February

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:58:28 +0000

31st January – 7th Feb
National Storytelling Week

1st to 8th February
Bramley Apple Week

2nd to 8th February
National Salt Awareness Week

9th – 15th
National Chip Week

14th – 21st
National Nest Box Week

Shrove Tuesday – Hurling the Silver Ball

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:17:46 +0000

St. Columb Major, Cornwall

Two teams, Town and Country, compete to carry an apple wood ball, covered in silver leaf over the parish boundary.

The goals are a mile apart and the ball can only be thrown but rugby type tackling is allowed. However in reality scrums, throwing, chasing, wrestling and shoving all ensue.

Depending on the winner, a Town ball or a Country ball is declared at the end of the contest.

The ball is inscribed with the words:

Town and Country do your best,
For in this parish I must rest.

14th February – King’s Lynn Fair

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:06:32 +0000

Norfolk

The King’s Lynn Fair has been held every year since the 11th century.

Only the plague in 1666 and two World Wars have stopped it from taking place.

It’s one of the earliest fairs held in the year and lasts for six days. The fair is opened by the mayor who has the privilege of being the first person to ride on the roundabouts!

It’s now known as the King’s Lynn Mart and lasts for two weeks. Some of the rides are extremely scary!

Egg Shackling

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:08:07 +0000

Egg shackling is very likely a relic of an ancient fertility ceremony.

It takes place every Shrove Tuesday in only two places in the UK; Shepton Beauchamp and Stoke St. Gregory, Somerset.

In the morning each child writes their name on an egg which they then take to school. The eggs are placed in a large sieve or riddle and shaken gently – shackled. As each one cracks or breaks it’s removed, until one egg remains. This happens on a classroom by classroom basis and each winner is given a small cash prize.

Here is a video of the egg shackling in Shepton Beauchamp in 2008.

A map of Shepton Beauchamp

A map of Stoke St Gregory

National Storytelling Week

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:38:15 +0000

January 31st to 7th Feb
An annual event which aims to raise awareness of this ancient form of entertainment. Storytelling events take place in theatres, book shops, libraries, retirement homes and many others.

February is Make Chatter Matter Month

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:29:27 +0000

Organised by the children’s communication charity I CAN, they hope to raise the importance of speech in children’s development during their early years.

23rd Feb to 8th March – Fair Trade fortnight

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:56:31 +0000

Raising awareness of where food comes from and how people in poorer countries can be helped to receive a fair price for their produce.

9th to 15th February – National Chip Week

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:06:11 +0000

Celebrating the nation’s favourite fast food. You can join in with all the events on the Love Chips website.

24th February – Shrove Tuesday

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:59:34 +0000

Or as it’s better known in the UK – Pancake Day!

Celebrated traditionally with the making of pancakes, served with lemon juice and sugar.