April Fools Day

April 1st is April Fools Day. A day when people play practical jokes on each other.

Here are some of the most memorable ones in England:

In 1957 Panorama, a TV programme, fooled millions of Brits into believing that spaghetti grows on trees! The show announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop.

In 1980 the BBC reported that Big Ben, in order to keep up with the times, was going to be given a digital readout. It received a huge response from listeners protesting the change. The BBC Japanese service also announced that the clock hands would be sold to the first 4 listeners to contact them, and one Japanese seaman in the mid-Atlantic immediately radioed in a bid.

In 2000 early morning commuters travelling on the northern carriageway of the M3 near Farnborough, Hampshire encountered a pedestrian zebra crossing painted across the busy highway. (A zebra crossing is a place where people cross the road. Traffic has to stop for people wanting to cross on a zebra crossing)

In 2002 Tesco published an advertisement announcing the successful development of a genetically modified whistling carrot with tapered air holes in their side. The extraordinary carrots would start to whistle once fully cooked!

Mince Pies at Easter!

Out shopping to day I spotted ‘Easter mincepies’! Tescos are selling mince pies with a cross on the top. (Mince pies are traditonally eaten only at Christmas.) What ever next ? Chocolate turkeys?

Traditional Food at Easter
Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday
Roast Lamb on Easter Sunday –
Simnel Cake ( a rich fruit cake)
Easter Eggs

Have you found something being sold at the wrong time of year?

Mother’s Day around the World

Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday in England falls on the fourth Sunday in the Christian festival of Lent. In 2006, Mothering Sunday falls on 26 March.

Find out more on our Mothering Sunday page.

February
Mothers Day in Norway is the second Sunday in February

Second Sunday in May
Mother’s Day is always the second Sunday in May in the Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan, Turkey and United States,
This year Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday May 14, 2006.

May 10
In Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Mother’s Day is always celebrated on May 10.

Last Sunday in May
Mother’s Day in France and Sweden

October
Mother’s Day in Argentina is the Second Sunday in October

Please leave a comment and tell us how you celebrate Mother’s Day.


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Celebrating the UK’s National Days

St David’s Day 1 March
London does not seem to celebrate St David’s day.

This year, on St David’s Day, the Queen officially opened the new Welsh National Assembly Building in Cardiff. She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
 
St Patrick’s Day 17 March
London celebrates St Patrick’s Day with the annual huge parade and festival in central London.

The parade includes approx 4,000 participants made up of marching bands from Britain, Ireland and Europe, colourful costumes, community groups, Irish dancing schools, pageantry and floats with Irish music, costumes and characters. Thousands line the streets to watch and cheer on this colourful spectacle.

You can find out more by visiting the London St Patrick’s Day website at http://www.londonstpatricksday.org.uk/.

St George’s Day 23 April
London celebrates St George’s Day with the annual Festival of St George at Covent Garden.
The Festival includes performances by the English Folk Song and Dance Society, Moulton Morris and the Jive Aces. Plus Punch and Judy and Mummers Plays. It is also a good opportunity to see Pearly Kings and Queens.

I went to the festival last year. It is a great day out for people who want to celebrate and experience ‘Englishness’. It is a shame that St George’s Day is not celebrated in the same way as St Patrick’s Day in London.

St George’s Day Parade at the Cenotaph
Short service, wreath laying and march past.

Do you think London should have a major St. George’s Day celebration? After all it is the capital city of England as well as the UK. Scroll down the page to leave a comment.


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Bank Holidays

Message taken from Forum:

Could you tell me what year or under which Prime Minister, that the New Year Bank Holiday was introduced in England,
John Porter.

British or English

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


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British and Americans

Message from Forum:

I was wondering how British citizens felt about Americans? As an American, I picture British people as very well-mannered, orderly, and friendly, yet reserved.

How do Britons perceive us (honestly!!!)?

Thanks Alot,

Michelle (homeschool Mom)
Richard & James


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