|
|
"If apples bloom in March
- in vain for them you'll search, The two principle Saint's Days in April are - St. George (23 April) and St. Mark (25 April). Spires and Towers sport St. George's Cross and, in many church towers, that involves a long and winding climb up the circular staircase to raise the flag on the flagpole, high on the tower (but sometimes still only at the base of the steeple!) St. George's Day is often, as in Norwich, also the 'Mayor's Day'. St. Mark's Eve has many associations of seeing the 'ghosts' of those who would die in the coming year 'visiting' the churchyard to 'select' their grave !
April, associated with the first arrival of migrant birds, also has much 'Cuckoo Lore' including- Spring Fairs where gates made from hurdles, clad in spring greenery, were 'opened' to let the Cuckoo fly through. "Cuckowe Kings" were crowned with garland-crowns, and much 'Church Ale' - brewed for strength - was drunk (as if an excuse were needed !).
The early Saxon festival commemorated the goddess Eostre (Easter), and the Saxon for April was Eosturmonath (Eostre's-month).
|
| Welcome to Chaddesley Corbett |