A British Christmas
http://linguaspectrum.com/lessons/language_lessons/Christmas/
This is a series of 5 English lessons looking at Christmas.
The 5 lessons are:
1.The Origins of Christmas
2.The Symbols of Christmas
3.Father Christmas
4.The Death and Rebirth of Christmas
5.Christmas Food
The video lessons use words, sounds and images to help you learn not only the vocabulary of Christmas, but also the interesting history of this most popular of festivals.
1.Watch the videos.
2.Read the text beneath the video - this contains all the text from the videos.
martes, 22 de diciembre de 2009
lunes, 30 de noviembre de 2009
viernes, 27 de noviembre de 2009
VAUGHAN RADIO
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I have recently known that we can listen to VAUGHAN RADIO through our TDT radio section, so now you can listen to it while doing something else, since not many things on TV seem to be worthwhile.
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I have recently known that we can listen to VAUGHAN RADIO through our TDT radio section, so now you can listen to it while doing something else, since not many things on TV seem to be worthwhile.
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RECTIFICACION CLAVES CUADERNO ACTIVIDADES N.I.1 Y 2
ERRATA CUADERNOS DE ACTIVIDADES N. INTERMEDIO E INTERMEDIO II
Se ha detectado a nivel nacional, incidencias en el Cuaderno de Actividades correspondiente al Nivel Intermedio (Andalucía, Cataluña y Navarra) y Nivel Intermedio II (resto CC.AA), correspondiente a los Módulo 8 y 9 – Self Test.
El hecho se produce en que dichos ejercicios no tienen ninguna relación con las respuestas contenidas en los mismos módulos.
La rectificación puede ser descargada de alguno de estos dos sitios
Sitio 1
Sitio 2
Se ha detectado a nivel nacional, incidencias en el Cuaderno de Actividades correspondiente al Nivel Intermedio (Andalucía, Cataluña y Navarra) y Nivel Intermedio II (resto CC.AA), correspondiente a los Módulo 8 y 9 – Self Test.
El hecho se produce en que dichos ejercicios no tienen ninguna relación con las respuestas contenidas en los mismos módulos.
La rectificación puede ser descargada de alguno de estos dos sitios
Sitio 1
Sitio 2
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domingo, 22 de noviembre de 2009
miércoles, 18 de noviembre de 2009
The Phonetic Chart
This web page is for people interested in learning the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols. This is a useful skill for learners and teachers of English who may want to check the pronunciation of a word in a dictionary. Use the phonetic chart to learn the sounds of English. Then do a quiz to see how well you have learnt them.
THE PHONETIC CHART
THE PHONETIC CHART
lunes, 9 de noviembre de 2009
/l/ - ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION
First Part (a)
First Part (b)
Second Part (a)
Second Part (b)
Third Part (a)
Third Part (b)
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First Part (b)
Second Part (a)
Second Part (b)
Third Part (a)
Third Part (b)
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"TH" - ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION
1 "TH" - English Pronunciation
2 "TH" - English Pronunciation
3 "TH" - English Pronunciation
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2 "TH" - English Pronunciation
3 "TH" - English Pronunciation
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/r/ - ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION
R - 1a English Pronunciation (as a vowel)
R - 1b English Pronunciation (as a vowel)
R - 2a English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
R - 2b English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
R - 2c English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
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R - 1b English Pronunciation (as a vowel)
R - 2a English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
R - 2b English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
R - 2c English Pronunciation (as a consonant)
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/l/ & /r/
L vs R
How to Pronounce the Letter L and R
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First Part
Second Part
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How to Pronounce the Letter L and R
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First Part
Second Part
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domingo, 8 de noviembre de 2009
SYMBOLS AND SOUNDS
He creado este documento para de una forma simple, sin tecnicismos, saber a qué equivalen los símbolos fonéticos trasladados a sonidos y a la esccritura. Seguramente lo iré reformando cuando encuentre variaciones y mejores ejemplos.
También derberíais bajar este archivo con todos los sonidos con sonido incorporado
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LEANN RIMES - COMMITMENT
LET'S PAY ATTENTION TO /I/ & /i:/
What I'm looking for is a love that's forever.
Someone who can capture my soul in a heartbeat
And stay for all time.
What I'm praying for is a match made in heaven.
Someone who will worship my body and still put
His heart on the line.
Commitment.
Someone who'll go the distance.
I need somebody with staying power
Who will make me go weak in the knees.
Commitment.
And everything that goes with it.
I need honor and love in my life.
From somebody who's playing for keeps.
What I'm searching for is a man who'll stand by me.
Who will walk through the fire and be my
Flame in the night.
Oh, and I won't settle for less than what I deserve.
A friend and a lover who will love me for the
Rest of my life.
Commitment.
Someone who'll go the distance.
I need somebody with staying power
Who will make me go weak in the knees.
Commitment.
And everything that goes with it.
I need honor and love in my life.
From somebody who's playing for keeps.
Yeah, I've had promises broken.
Three words left unspoken.
They just left me achin' for more.
But I've found temptation.
I won't be impatient.
There's one thing worth waiting for...
Commitment.
And everything that goes with it.
I need honor and love in my life.
From somebody who's playing for keeps.
Commitment.
Someone who'll go the distance.
I need somebody with staying power
Who will make me go weak in the knees.
Commitment.
And everything that goes with it.
I need honor and love in my life.
From somebody who's playing for keeps.
/i:/
/I/
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KEEP ON PRACTISING YOUR ENGLISH IN SUMMER
Here you can practise your oral English, so you don't forget your skill.
SUPERSTITIONS
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http://www.dimaggio.org/Glasgow/Superstition/fascinating_facts.htm
Fascinating Facts
For visitors to enjoy while queuing at the entrance
Why is number 13 considered UNLUCKY?
When is number 13 NOT unlucky?
GENDER DIFFERENCES
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
UKs TOP SUPERSTITIONS
LUCK & SUPERSTITION?
WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ARE SUPERSTITIOUS? ... AND MUCH MORE
____________________________________________________
WEDDING CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
____________________________________________________
Good Luck Superstitions
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http://www.dimaggio.org/Glasgow/Superstition/fascinating_facts.htm
Fascinating Facts
For visitors to enjoy while queuing at the entrance
Why is number 13 considered UNLUCKY?
When is number 13 NOT unlucky?
GENDER DIFFERENCES
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
UKs TOP SUPERSTITIONS
LUCK & SUPERSTITION?
WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ARE SUPERSTITIOUS? ... AND MUCH MORE
____________________________________________________
WEDDING CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
____________________________________________________
Good Luck Superstitions
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IMPROVE YOUR PRONUNCIATION
Improve your pronunciation by learning these poems by heart... if you can ;-)
•Have fun with the pronunciation poem.
•Have more fun with another pronunciation poem.
•Even more fun with another crazy pronunciation poem.
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•Have fun with the pronunciation poem.
•Have more fun with another pronunciation poem.
•Even more fun with another crazy pronunciation poem.
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ENGLISH DICTATION TESTS
Improve your listening skills, writing skills, reading skills, spelling and punctuation!
You will need a pen and some paper. The files are large, so be patient.
Instructions:-
Choose your level Elementary or Intermediate.
Play the .mp3 files (they are large so be patient).
Listen to the first file - Just Listen. I will speak, quite quickly, in a natural voice.
Listen to second file - listen and write. I will speak more slowly.
Listen to the first file again - Check and correct.
Check what you have written. You will find the text at the bottom of each dictation page.
There will be a new dictation each month.
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You will need a pen and some paper. The files are large, so be patient.
Instructions:-
Choose your level Elementary or Intermediate.
Play the .mp3 files (they are large so be patient).
Listen to the first file - Just Listen. I will speak, quite quickly, in a natural voice.
Listen to second file - listen and write. I will speak more slowly.
Listen to the first file again - Check and correct.
Check what you have written. You will find the text at the bottom of each dictation page.
There will be a new dictation each month.
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http://www.hablamejoringles.com
Getting ready for your ORAL EXAM? A very interesting blog you should take a look at. And don't forget the comments throughout the blog.
¿Qué tal el inglés de Bardem?
Vale vale, está bueno. Pero, ¿habla bien inglés? Aquí le damos unos consejos sobre lo que realmente les importa a las mujeres: los doble negativos y la pronunciación del pasado simple.
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¿Qué tal el inglés de Bardem?
Vale vale, está bueno. Pero, ¿habla bien inglés? Aquí le damos unos consejos sobre lo que realmente les importa a las mujeres: los doble negativos y la pronunciación del pasado simple.
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6 MINUTE ENGLISH
6 Minute English
BBC World Service
Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.
April Fool's Day
Jackie and Kate discuss April Fool's Day and talk about some of the better known pranks associated with it.
Jackie and Kate discuss April Fool's Day and talk about some of the better known pranks associated with it.April Fool's Day is the one time of year when we traditionally play jokes on our friends and colleagues. This week Kate and Jackie discuss some of the better known hoaxes as well as explain some of the vocabulary associated with the day.
April Fool's Day
This week's question: In the UK, we are traditionally allowed to play jokes on people until what time in the day?
April Fool's Day
This week's question: In the UK, we are traditionally allowed to play jokes on people until what time in the day?
Is it:a) midnightb) middayc) 4 o'clock
Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme!
Vocabulary from the programme
Vocabulary from the programme
practical joke
a type of joke which is played at someone else's expense
hoax
a trick which deceives people into believing something that's not true, usually on a larger scale
spoof story
a story that's not true, presented as though it were real
taken in by
to believe something that isn't true
gullible
describes someone who believes things easily
prank
a type of practical joke
a type of joke which is played at someone else's expense
hoax
a trick which deceives people into believing something that's not true, usually on a larger scale
spoof story
a story that's not true, presented as though it were real
taken in by
to believe something that isn't true
gullible
describes someone who believes things easily
prank
a type of practical joke
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EL BLOG DE LOS IDIOMAS
Una página muy interesante sobre muchas cuestiones que se nos plantean sobre los idiomas:
http://www.elblogdelosidiomas.org/
Ejemplos de títulos:
Cómo aprender de manera autodidacta
Pensar en inglés (y otros idiomas)
¿Cómo expresarse cuando se tienen pocos conocimientos?
"Necesito aprender inglés en corto espacio de tiempo y no sé por dónde empezar"
Leer sobre temas que nos gusten, necesitemos o conozcamos bien
El famoso método Pimsleur
¿Son los títulos oficiales necesarios?
Repetir, repetir, repetir
¿Se aprende de verdad con los fascículos?
La motivación es esencial
Una manera de utilizar las tarjetas de vocabulario
Aprender con las películas
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http://www.elblogdelosidiomas.org/
Ejemplos de títulos:
Cómo aprender de manera autodidacta
Pensar en inglés (y otros idiomas)
¿Cómo expresarse cuando se tienen pocos conocimientos?
"Necesito aprender inglés en corto espacio de tiempo y no sé por dónde empezar"
Leer sobre temas que nos gusten, necesitemos o conozcamos bien
El famoso método Pimsleur
¿Son los títulos oficiales necesarios?
Repetir, repetir, repetir
¿Se aprende de verdad con los fascículos?
La motivación es esencial
Una manera de utilizar las tarjetas de vocabulario
Aprender con las películas
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GRAMMAR CHALLENGE
Every programme is downloadable as an mp3 and features an expert commentary on that week's grammar. The website contains fun interactive quizzes, grammar tables and an area for you to practise your written English.
Este recurso de internet lo considero muy interesante y recomendable. Se llama Grammar Challenge y es de la BBC. Contiene un podcast con lecciones de gramática impartidas en inglés en las que cada día explican un tema sobre el que luego preguntan a un estudiante extranjero, al que someten a un "reto" (de ahí el nombre de Grammar Challenge).
Cada podcast empieza con una breve charla entre el presentador y el estudiante. Después una profesora explica brevemente el tema del día, tras lo cual el presentador plantea algunas cuestiones al estudiante para que las responda utilizando lo aprendido sobre el tema en cuestión.Para mí lo más destacable es:1) El mismo hecho de ser impartido sólo en inglés.2) La posibilidad de escuchar los distintos acentos de los estudiantes, procedentes de muchas nacionalidades diferentes.3) En apenas unos minutos se repasa un tema gramatical, siempre muy bien y claramente explicado.4) Hay muchísimos temas, que siguen ampliando periódicamente.5) En la página web hay otros recursos sobre cada lección, como textos y ejercicios, que pueden ayudar a comprender mejor los temas.Además, podemos suscribirnos con iTunes o algún otro programa de podcasts de manera que se puede escuchar en cualquier sitio sin tener que estar conectado a internet.
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LISTEN AND WRITE
A very Interesting site to practice listening and writing skills:
http://www.listen-and-write.com/
Thanks Andrés.
http://www.listen-and-write.com/
Thanks Andrés.
I WONDER...
I have found out an interesting forum in which people ask their questions about English. I'm sure many of us have some time had some of these questions: El consultor de inglés
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Would you like to listen to and read this work? You might even want to download it to listen to it in your mp3 /4 , iPod, usb pendrive or even when driving... Click on the image:
APRENDE INGLES TV with Richard Vaughan
Have you got any spare time? Nowadays it's almost imposible, isn't it?
Well, in case you have, here you can watch TV to practise, learn, review and even reinforce concepts you know. Choose the right level for you and have a good time with English.
If you prefer you can listen to the radio:
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Well, in case you have, here you can watch TV to practise, learn, review and even reinforce concepts you know. Choose the right level for you and have a good time with English.
If you prefer you can listen to the radio:
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LISTENING COMPREHENSION
They also have comprehension questions to test your understanding, but in case you didn't get it all, you can check the transcriptions, but be honest, only at the end.
Steph On Cooking (Br.)
Steph and El Tel On Cinema (Br.)
Pam’s House (Br.)
Dee’s House (Br.)
Fran On Gambling (Br.)
Emilio On English (Sp.)
Innes On Pubs (Br.)
Rubén on Fallas (Sp.)
El Tel On Snooker (Br.)
Danny On Ice Hockey (Am.)
Steph On Cooking-The Recipe (Br.)
Kevin On Peru (Br.)
Kevin On Women (Br.)
A Woman In Africa (Af.)
Hunting Crocodiles (Af.)
Betsy On George Bush (Am.)
Joel’s Job (Af.)
Sandra In Tanzania (Gr.)
Eggs (Am.)
Janet On Art Therapy (Am.)
John On DIY (Br.)
Ruth’s Job (Br.)
Checking Into a Hotel (Br.)
Chocolate Therapy (Br.)
Rob On Rabbits (Br.)
Janet On New York (Am.)
Security Announcement (Am.)
Salzburg Nightlife (Gr.)
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Steph On Cooking (Br.)
Steph and El Tel On Cinema (Br.)
Pam’s House (Br.)
Dee’s House (Br.)
Fran On Gambling (Br.)
Emilio On English (Sp.)
Innes On Pubs (Br.)
Rubén on Fallas (Sp.)
El Tel On Snooker (Br.)
Danny On Ice Hockey (Am.)
Steph On Cooking-The Recipe (Br.)
Kevin On Peru (Br.)
Kevin On Women (Br.)
A Woman In Africa (Af.)
Hunting Crocodiles (Af.)
Betsy On George Bush (Am.)
Joel’s Job (Af.)
Sandra In Tanzania (Gr.)
Eggs (Am.)
Janet On Art Therapy (Am.)
John On DIY (Br.)
Ruth’s Job (Br.)
Checking Into a Hotel (Br.)
Chocolate Therapy (Br.)
Rob On Rabbits (Br.)
Janet On New York (Am.)
Security Announcement (Am.)
Salzburg Nightlife (Gr.)
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www.howjsay.com - - - www.fonetiks.org
Don't you know how to pronounce a word? No problem, this website will do it for you, and many more things:
MORE PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
Online pronouncing dictionary with Instant Sound
Essayez notre nouveau dictionnaire parlant français-anglais gratuit
English pronunciationpractice with minimal pairs,eg ship/sheep
A spoken English grammar for ESL learners
An interactive reading course for learners aged 3+
63 Graded English dictations
Pronunciation of names of people, cities and countries
Words with controversial or difficult pronunciation
Oh and Ah : a love story for children aged 3+
Mouse over pop lyrics to hear them performed
Spoken History: mouse over Bush's speeches to hear them
A practical phonetic alphabet for computer keyboards
Reference page for online dictionaries
Anything else you'd like to hear on fonetiks?
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MORE PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
Online pronouncing dictionary with Instant Sound
Essayez notre nouveau dictionnaire parlant français-anglais gratuit
English pronunciationpractice with minimal pairs,eg ship/sheep
A spoken English grammar for ESL learners
An interactive reading course for learners aged 3+
63 Graded English dictations
Pronunciation of names of people, cities and countries
Words with controversial or difficult pronunciation
Oh and Ah : a love story for children aged 3+
Mouse over pop lyrics to hear them performed
Spoken History: mouse over Bush's speeches to hear them
A practical phonetic alphabet for computer keyboards
Reference page for online dictionaries
Anything else you'd like to hear on fonetiks?
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Welcome to LearnEnglish podcasts!
LearnEnglish Podcasts are a way for you to practise your English language listening skills. You can listen on your computer, or download to your mp3 player. We've got something for everyone - from kids to adults and from elementary to advanced level learners. They are free, and if you subscribe we will send them to you every month. Please note that you cannot subscribe to our Kids listening downloads.
elementary podcast: Ideal for learners without much English language experience.
themes: Listen to articles and link to many theme-related activities.
stories and poems: Listen to stories and poems by the famous and not so famous.
professionals: Helping you to improve your English for your studies and career.
kids: Practise your English by listening to songs and stories and more.
science: Science communicators directly reaching a wider audience.
what is a podcast?: Our guide for beginners
Wikipedia: podcasting: More advanced guide
Podcasting directory: Links to 1000s of podcasts
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elementary podcast: Ideal for learners without much English language experience.
themes: Listen to articles and link to many theme-related activities.
stories and poems: Listen to stories and poems by the famous and not so famous.
professionals: Helping you to improve your English for your studies and career.
kids: Practise your English by listening to songs and stories and more.
science: Science communicators directly reaching a wider audience.
what is a podcast?: Our guide for beginners
Wikipedia: podcasting: More advanced guide
Podcasting directory: Links to 1000s of podcasts
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REAL-ENGLISH.com
Don't miss this website if you want to practice both your listening and speaking (orally repeating) skills, besides learning or reinforcing vocabulary.
"Welcome to Real English®, the Web's only online ESL site that utilizes authentic and natural ESL videos of people speaking real English on streets across the globe. Designed for individuals learning English, as well as for teachers and institutions, Real English® offers unique ESL lessons, rendering the spontaneity of normal (fast) speech understandable for all levels of students. No need to sign in. The lessons are all free and free-access. "
"Real English is different. Students who have not lived in an English-speaking country should begin with Lesson 1! The people in the videos are spontaneous. Spontaneity is difficult, just like real situations with strangers are difficult. The people seem to speak fast, but in reality, they are speaking at normal speed. "
Lesson 21 - Introduction to the Present Simple with do/does. Four interviews including Chris, Donna, and Millie. They bring the tension of the office right onto the street.
Pre-Intermediate - Lesson 21 Exercises
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"Welcome to Real English®, the Web's only online ESL site that utilizes authentic and natural ESL videos of people speaking real English on streets across the globe. Designed for individuals learning English, as well as for teachers and institutions, Real English® offers unique ESL lessons, rendering the spontaneity of normal (fast) speech understandable for all levels of students. No need to sign in. The lessons are all free and free-access. "
"Real English is different. Students who have not lived in an English-speaking country should begin with Lesson 1! The people in the videos are spontaneous. Spontaneity is difficult, just like real situations with strangers are difficult. The people seem to speak fast, but in reality, they are speaking at normal speed. "
"Real English is different. Intermediate students should begin with Lesson 1 when they begin learning with Real English. Even our beginner videos are challenging for students who have never spent time in English-speaking countries. lessons.All of our videos & lessons are free and free-access! "
Lesson 21 - Introduction to the Present Simple with do/does. Four interviews including Chris, Donna, and Millie. They bring the tension of the office right onto the street.
Pre-Intermediate - Lesson 21 Exercises
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DE QUÉ CONSTAN LAS PRUEBAS
Módulos 7, 8 y 9
La evaluación de cada uno de estos módulos consta de una parte escrita y otra oral:
PARTE ESCRITA
PRUEBA DE COMPRENSIÓN LECTORA: Lectura de un texto y respuesta a cinco preguntas que, a diferencia de los módulos anteriores, no son de opción múltiple, sino abiertas, en las que hay que dar la respuesta adecuada a la pregunta formulada.
PRUEBA DE COMPRENSIÓN AUDITIVA: audición, dos veces, de una conversación en inglés y respuesta a cinco preguntas, también abiertas, en las que se deberá responder con una sola frase por pregunta.
PRUEBA GENERAL DE CONTENIDOS: existen diferencias entre el módulo 7 y los módulos 8 y 9.
Módulo 7: consta de cuatro textos escritos cortos, en cada uno de los cuales hay cinco espacios que se rellenarán con una o dos palabras. Dos preguntas hacen referencia a alguno de los aspectos de pronunciación tratados en el módulo.
Módulos 8 y 9: constan de cuatro textos escritos cortos, en los que se desarrollan actividades diversas como completar frases, utilizar la forma correcta de un verbo dado, completar espacios en blanco con una sola palabra y construir oraciones a partir de unas palabras dadas. Alguna de las veinte preguntas hace referencia a aspectos de pronunciación tratados en el módulo.
PRUEBA DE EXPRESIÓN ESCRITA: composición por escrito de un texto en inglés que deberá tener una extensión progresiva a lo largo de los tres módulos del tercer curso, empezando por 100 palabras en el módulo 7 para alcanzar las 150 en el módulo 9.
PARTE ORAL. Una vez superada la parte escrita tendrás acceso a la PRUEBA DE EXPRESIÓN ORAL que será de las mismas características que las descritas para los módulos 3 y 6. Esta prueba será obligatoria, sin excepción, para todo el alumnado que supere o no la parte escrita del módulo 9.
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La evaluación de cada uno de estos módulos consta de una parte escrita y otra oral:
PARTE ESCRITA
PRUEBA DE COMPRENSIÓN LECTORA: Lectura de un texto y respuesta a cinco preguntas que, a diferencia de los módulos anteriores, no son de opción múltiple, sino abiertas, en las que hay que dar la respuesta adecuada a la pregunta formulada.
PRUEBA DE COMPRENSIÓN AUDITIVA: audición, dos veces, de una conversación en inglés y respuesta a cinco preguntas, también abiertas, en las que se deberá responder con una sola frase por pregunta.
PRUEBA GENERAL DE CONTENIDOS: existen diferencias entre el módulo 7 y los módulos 8 y 9.
Módulo 7: consta de cuatro textos escritos cortos, en cada uno de los cuales hay cinco espacios que se rellenarán con una o dos palabras. Dos preguntas hacen referencia a alguno de los aspectos de pronunciación tratados en el módulo.
Módulos 8 y 9: constan de cuatro textos escritos cortos, en los que se desarrollan actividades diversas como completar frases, utilizar la forma correcta de un verbo dado, completar espacios en blanco con una sola palabra y construir oraciones a partir de unas palabras dadas. Alguna de las veinte preguntas hace referencia a aspectos de pronunciación tratados en el módulo.
PRUEBA DE EXPRESIÓN ESCRITA: composición por escrito de un texto en inglés que deberá tener una extensión progresiva a lo largo de los tres módulos del tercer curso, empezando por 100 palabras en el módulo 7 para alcanzar las 150 en el módulo 9.
PARTE ORAL. Una vez superada la parte escrita tendrás acceso a la PRUEBA DE EXPRESIÓN ORAL que será de las mismas características que las descritas para los módulos 3 y 6. Esta prueba será obligatoria, sin excepción, para todo el alumnado que supere o no la parte escrita del módulo 9.
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1st NOVEMBER All Saints' Day.
In the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church made 1st November a church holiday to honour all the saints. This feast day is called All Saints' Day.
All Hallows
All Saints' Day used to be known as All Hallows (Hallow being an old word meaning Saint or Holy Person). The feast day actually started the previous evening, the Eve of All Hallows or Hallowe'en.
Christians remember all the saints
On Saints' Day, Christians remember all 'men of good will' (saints), great ones and forgotten ones, who have died through the ages.
Saints are men and women from all ages and all walks of life, who were outstanding Christians. Some - the martyrs - died for their faith. All of them are honoured by the church.
Hallowtide
All Saints' Day, together with All Souls' Day are know collectively as Hallowtide.
2nd NOVEMBER All Souls' Day.
On All Souls' Day the Roman Catholic Church remembers all those who have died - not just the great and the good, but ordinary man-in-the-street. Families visit graves with bunches of flowers and in church the names of the dead may be read out on request. In some parts of the country, All Souls' Day ends with a play or some songs.
All Souls' Day Superstition
It was believed that All Souls' night when the dead revisited their homes, so lit candles were left out to guide them and meals and wine were left as refreshment.
NOVEMBER Guy Fawkes Day ( Bonfire Night)
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/CUSTOMS/Guy.html
4th Thursday in Nov. Thanksgiving – USA, commemorates the Pilgrim Father’s first harvest.
Mischief Night (UK)
The 4 November is known as Mischief Night in some parts of the country. This was the night when all sorts of naughty things were done - the main idea being to put things in the wrong place.
11 NOVEMBER Remembrance Day in Britain
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.
At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare
Remembrance Day is on 11 November. It is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. At one time the day was known as Armistice Day and was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.
Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November. Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain.
30 November - The national day of Scotland’s is St Andrew's Day
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.
Not an official holiday
1 DECEMBER Advent - the church season that leads to Christmas Day.
Advent is the time when Christians remember that Jesus came into the world in Palestine 2000 years ago and that Jesus also promised one day to return in all His glory.
Advent Calendars
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.
An Advent calendar is a poster or card with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture. Every morning children open 1 window of the calendar to see a pretty picture or find a chocolate inside.
This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible.
Many Advent calendars today have no religious content. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy bears, pieces of chocolate, or photos of pop stars.
24 DECEMBER Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve (December 24) is traditionally the day for decorating churches and homes. It marks the beginning of the period formally known as Christmas-tide.
Christmas traditionally started at sunset on December 24. Our ancient ancestors considered this to be Christmas Evening (or Christmas Eve).
Night time on Christmas Eve is a very exciting time for young children. It is the time when Father Christmas (Santa) comes.
The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas, and a carrot for the reindeer.
From 1870 children have hung up Christmas stockings at the ends of their beds or along the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Today, children still hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready for Father Christmas, who will hopefully fill them up with presents, if the children have been good. The children then go to sleep and wait for Christmas morning to see if he has been.
Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down the chimney. The coins would have fallen through the ash grate and been lost if they hadn't landed in a stocking that had been hung out to dry. Since that time children have continued to hang out stockings in hopes of finding them filled with gifts.
Christians go to a special carol service at their church on Christmas Eve night. There are usually two carols services. The first one is for children and may be a candle lit service where the congregation hold a candle each whilst they sing Christmas songs (carols) and watch a performed by children. The second one is closer to midnight (called Midnight Mass), so that people can welcome Christmas Day in and rejoice in the coming of our Lord.
Christmas Eve Superstitions:
An old wives' tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.
At midnight, a certain rose slowly opens and re-closes its petals to salute the birthday of Jesus.
Also at midnight, all the sheep in the fields turn and bow towards the East.
25 DECEMBER Christmas Day
(Public Holiday)
Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year 'Christmas' - we celebrate the 'Mass', or church service, for Christ.
The word Christmas (or Christ's Mass) comes from the Old English name Cristes Maesse - Christ's Mass - and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December.
Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. Most people are on holiday in England and stay at home with their family on Christmas day.
Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in England, with a Christmas dinner for the whole family.
During the weeks before Christmas Day, we send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. We also decorate our homes and churches with green leaves, paper decorations and colourful electric lights.
This is the favourite day for children. They wake up very early in the morning to find their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before going down to breakfast.Family presents are opened either late morning or during the afternoon. The family gather together to open the presents found under the Christmas tree
Church Services: Many people will go to church to sing carols and to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. More people attend the church on this day than any other day of the year. People put on their best clothes to go to church.
Christmas Dinner: The whole family sit down for Christmas dinner at mid-day
The Queen's Speech: A traditional feature of Christmas afternoon is the Queen's Christmas Message. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Queen gives her Christmas Message to the nation which is broadcast on radio and television.
December Superstitions
"Marry on December third
For all the grief you ever heard "
A Christmas pudding should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His Disciples and that every member of the family should take turns to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west, in honour of the Wise Men.
If you take a candle to church this Christmas, don't bring it home, blow it out and leave it there with the vicar for good luck.
"On Christmas Eve all animals can speak."
However, it is bad luck to test this superstition.
"The child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune."
"Wearing new shoes on Christmas Day will bring bad luck."
"Good luck will come to the home where a fire is kept burning throughout the Christmas season. "
If a girl raps at the henhouse door on Christmas Eve and a rooster crows, she will marry within the year.
How much do you know about Christmas?
26 DECEMBER Boxing Day (28 DECEMBER 2009 Substitute Bank Holiday in lieu of 26th Dec because 26th falls at the weekend)
(Bank Holiday)
Boxing Day is usually on 26 December in the United Kingdom, Canada and some other Commonwealth countries. The day after Christmas Day is also known as St Stephen's Day or the Feast of Stephen as mentioned in the carol 'Good King Wenceslas'.
The origins of Boxing Day are uncertain. The name could have come about from the custom of priests opening alms boxes in churches after Christmas. These held money which had been given for needy people in the days coming up to Christmas. Another story of how it began is from the tradition of employers and wealthy people giving their servants and trades people Christmas boxes (gifts) as a way of saying thank you for good service throughout the year.
DECEMBER Holy Innocents Day - Childermass
Holy Innocents Day, also known as Childermas, falls on 28 December. It commemorates King Herod's massacre of all male infants in and around Bethlehem under the age of two in attempt to kill the young Christ.
In the days when Christmas was less child-centred, Childermas was a time for indulging children with treats and parties.
Unlucky
On a more sombre note, 28 December is widely regarded as the unluckiest day of the year, so don't do anything and certainly don't start anything on this day
Christmas Activities
DECEMBER New Year's Eve
31st December is the last day of the year. It is New Year's Eve. Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'. This celebration is particularly dear to the Scots. They call it Hogmanay.
All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called 'Auld Lang Syne'. It reminds them of old and new friends.
Bank Holiday = a day off school and work.
New Year's Day (1 January 2010)
(Bank holiday)
New Year's Day is the first day of the year, in the Gregorian calendar. In modern times, it is January 1. It is a time for looking forward and wishing for a good year ahead. It is also a holiday.
People welcome in the New Year on the night before. This is called New Year's Eve. In Scotland, people celebrate with a lively festival called Hogmanay. All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called Auld Lang Syne. It reminds them of old and new friends.
The Door Custom
In the old days, the New Year started with a custom called 'first footing', which was suppose to bring good luck to people for the coming year. As soon as midnight had passed and January 1st had started, people used to wait behind their doors for a dark haired person to arrive. The visitor carried a piece of coal, some bread, some money and some greenery. These were all for good luck - the coal to make sure that the house would always be warm, the bread to make sure everyone in the house would have enough food to eat, money so that they would have enough money, and the greenery to make sure that they had a long life.
The visitor would then take a pan of dust or ashes out of the house with him, thus signifying the departure of the old year.
It was an old Saxon belief that 2nd January was one of the unluckiest days of the whole year. Those unfortunate enough to be born on this day could expect to dies an unpleasant death.
5 - 6 January
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.
Twelfth Day is the last day of Christmas season. In the Church of England, the Christmas season begins at Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve.
Twelfth Day, as its name tells us, is the sixth of January - just twelve days after Christmas Day.
In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some eastern churches, Epiphany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas.
Many places throughout the UK carry out the Twelfth Night tradition called "Wassailing." On Twelfth Night a lot of people gather to drink to apple trees and to each others health
11 JANUARY 2010 Plough Monday
The first Monday after Twelfth Night is Plough Monday, a day when ploughmen traditionally blackened their faces and marked the end of the Christmas period for the agricultural communities.
Molly Dancers
Molly dancing is most commonly performed on or around Plough Monday.
In the past, Molly dancers sometimes accompanied the farm labourers to dance and entertain for money. They blackened their faces with soot to disguise themselves so they could not be recognised by their future employers.
2 FEBRUARY Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights )
2nd February is Candlemas Day. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February.
Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights. Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Christians often talk of Jesus as 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this.
Traditional games played in February
Shrove Tuesday marks forty days before Easter. The forty days are supposed to be a time of quietness and fasting. Shrove Tuesday (sometimes called Mischief Day) was the last day before Lent, so it was the last day for fun and food for a long time.
A special game of football is a played in February. It is played differently from the game our country is well known for. This game of football has no rules and is played on Shrove Tuesday. In some villages and towns traffic would be stopped and all the men would come out into the street at a set time. The church bell would ring and a football would be thrown into the crowd and the biggest ever football game was played. This game is still played in some places in England.
Skipping is also a traditional Shrove Tuesday game.
14 FEBRUARY VALENTINE'S DAY
Valentine's Day (Saint Valentine's Day) is an occasion celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery.
Valentine's Day Superstitions & Traditions
Traditionally, spring begins on St Valentine's Day (February 14th), the day on which birds chose their mates. In parts of Sussex Valentines Day was called 'the Birds' Wedding Day'.
There are many other traditions and superstitions associated with romance activities on Valentine's day including:
•the first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband;
•if the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
•if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.
•In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.
•In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
16 FEBRUARY - Shrove Tuesday 2010 - Last day of Carnival.(Mardi Gras)
The day before Lent begins. It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes.Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between 3 February and 9 March.
The name Shrove comes from the old word "shrive" which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began.
A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a pan.
17 FEBRUARY Ash Wednesday . Lent begins
Ash Wednesday is a Christian festival. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important Christian festival of Easter.
1 March - The national day of Wales is St David's Day.
St David is Wales's patron saint.
Not an official holiday
14 MARCH 2010 Mother's Day
When is Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day)?
Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day) is always the fourth Sunday of Lent.
2010 Mothering Sunday in UK in 2010 - 14 March
(Mother's Day in US in 2010 - 9 May)
Mothering Sunday is not a fixed day because it is always the middle Sunday in Lent (which lasts from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter Sunday). This means that Mother's Day in the UK will fall on different dates each year and sometimes even fall in different months.
Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century.
17 March - The national day of Northern Ireland is St Patrick's Day.
St Patrick is Ireland's patron Saint
Not an official holiday
1 APRIL - APRIL FOOL'S DAY
It is commonly believed that that April Fool came about because of the change of calendars. In 1582, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar called the Gregorian calendar which is the calendar we still use today.
The new calendar was introduced because the old calendar, called the Julian calendar, was ahead by ten days because each year was a little too long. Gregory moved the new calendar forward by ten days.
Britain didn't accept the new calendar until 1752.
In the Julian calendar, the old calendar, New Year was celebrated from March 25th to April 1st. The first day of the Gregorian calendar is January 1st.
France
In France, people were forgetful and other people refused to accept the new calendar, so they still celebrated New Year on April 1st. Other people would play tricks on them and call them April Fools.
April fooling became popular in England and Scotland during the 1700s.
April Fool Jokes
April Fool jokes usually involve persuading someone to do something silly, like looking for hen's teeth, striped paint, a long weight, a left-handed screwdriver or some other non-existent thing.
However, you can only play April Fools on people before midday –at midday the fun must stop or the trickster is told:
'April Fool's Day is past and gone,
Your 're the fool and I am none.'
Good Friday
(Public Holiday)
On Good Friday, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.
Easter Monday (5 April 2010)
(Bank Holiday)
Egg rolling
Egg rolling is very popular in England and the rest of the UK and is an Easter Monday sport. Hard-boiled eggs are rolled down a hill. Customs differ from place to place. The winner's egg may be the one that rolls the farthest, survives the most rolls, or is rolled between two pegs.
Biddenden Dole
Hare Pie Scramble and Bottle Kicking
At Hallaton in Leicestershire, the Hare Pie Scramble and Bottle Kicking, an unruly rugby game between the village of Hallaton and Medbourne, takes place every Easter Monday. Hallaton is picturesque village with lots of old thatched cottages and set in beautiful countryside.
Small wooden barrels filled with ale are used as rugby balls in the no-holds barrel contest, the object of which is to get each of the three casks to a touchline in either village.
The game
Two teams fight over three small beer barrels, in an attempt to get each barrel across the stream in their village by any means possible. The two teams are the Hallaton team, made up exclusively of villagers, and the Medbourne team, open to anyone.
The Hallaton side try to get the barrels down the hill and over the stream behind the Bewick Arms, whilst the Medbourne team try to get the barrels over the fields for a mile or so towards their village.
The game is played as a best of three with one barrel in playat a time. It is a very tough contest that can last for hours, crossing numerous hedges, lanes, ditches and even barbed wire to reach their touchlines.
23 APRIL St George's Day
St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.
St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.
Early May Bank Holiday (3 May 2010)
(First Monday in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (31 May 2010)
(Last Monday in May)
Summer Bank Holiday (30 Aug 2010)
(Last Monday in August)
2nd - 6th SEPTEMBER 1666 The Great Fire of London raged for four days - destroying more than 13,000 houses and almost 100 churches - including St Paul's Cathedral. A total of 6 people are killed.
14th OCTOBER 1066 The Battle of Hastings
(or Battle of Senlac Hill) on the southern coast of England. An English army, commanded by King Harold, is defeated by the invasion force of William of Normandy. King Harold is killed and William'The Conqueror' is proclaimed King of England.
21st OCTOBER 1805 The Battle of Trafalgar
A British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the coast of Spain. At the height of the engagement on October 21, Nelson was mortally wounded while pacing the quarterdeck of the HMS Victory. He died a few hours later, and his body was solemnly brought back to England for burial. In London, a column was erected to his memory in the newly named Trafalgar Square.
OCTOBER Halloween (Eve of All Hallows)
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/CUSTOMS/calendars/index.htm
In the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church made 1st November a church holiday to honour all the saints. This feast day is called All Saints' Day.
All Hallows
All Saints' Day used to be known as All Hallows (Hallow being an old word meaning Saint or Holy Person). The feast day actually started the previous evening, the Eve of All Hallows or Hallowe'en.
Christians remember all the saints
On Saints' Day, Christians remember all 'men of good will' (saints), great ones and forgotten ones, who have died through the ages.
Saints are men and women from all ages and all walks of life, who were outstanding Christians. Some - the martyrs - died for their faith. All of them are honoured by the church.
Hallowtide
All Saints' Day, together with All Souls' Day are know collectively as Hallowtide.
2nd NOVEMBER All Souls' Day.
On All Souls' Day the Roman Catholic Church remembers all those who have died - not just the great and the good, but ordinary man-in-the-street. Families visit graves with bunches of flowers and in church the names of the dead may be read out on request. In some parts of the country, All Souls' Day ends with a play or some songs.
All Souls' Day Superstition
It was believed that All Souls' night when the dead revisited their homes, so lit candles were left out to guide them and meals and wine were left as refreshment.
NOVEMBER Guy Fawkes Day ( Bonfire Night)Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/CUSTOMS/Guy.html
4th Thursday in Nov. Thanksgiving – USA, commemorates the Pilgrim Father’s first harvest.
Mischief Night (UK)
The 4 November is known as Mischief Night in some parts of the country. This was the night when all sorts of naughty things were done - the main idea being to put things in the wrong place.
11 NOVEMBER Remembrance Day in Britain
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.
At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare
Remembrance Day is on 11 November. It is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. At one time the day was known as Armistice Day and was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.
Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November. Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain.
30 November - The national day of Scotland’s is St Andrew's Day
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.
Not an official holiday
1 DECEMBER Advent - the church season that leads to Christmas Day.
Advent is the time when Christians remember that Jesus came into the world in Palestine 2000 years ago and that Jesus also promised one day to return in all His glory.
Advent Calendars
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.
An Advent calendar is a poster or card with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture. Every morning children open 1 window of the calendar to see a pretty picture or find a chocolate inside.
This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible.
Many Advent calendars today have no religious content. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy bears, pieces of chocolate, or photos of pop stars.
24 DECEMBER Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve (December 24) is traditionally the day for decorating churches and homes. It marks the beginning of the period formally known as Christmas-tide.
Christmas traditionally started at sunset on December 24. Our ancient ancestors considered this to be Christmas Evening (or Christmas Eve).
Night time on Christmas Eve is a very exciting time for young children. It is the time when Father Christmas (Santa) comes.
The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas, and a carrot for the reindeer.
From 1870 children have hung up Christmas stockings at the ends of their beds or along the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Today, children still hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready for Father Christmas, who will hopefully fill them up with presents, if the children have been good. The children then go to sleep and wait for Christmas morning to see if he has been.
Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down the chimney. The coins would have fallen through the ash grate and been lost if they hadn't landed in a stocking that had been hung out to dry. Since that time children have continued to hang out stockings in hopes of finding them filled with gifts.
Christians go to a special carol service at their church on Christmas Eve night. There are usually two carols services. The first one is for children and may be a candle lit service where the congregation hold a candle each whilst they sing Christmas songs (carols) and watch a performed by children. The second one is closer to midnight (called Midnight Mass), so that people can welcome Christmas Day in and rejoice in the coming of our Lord.
Christmas Eve Superstitions:
An old wives' tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.
At midnight, a certain rose slowly opens and re-closes its petals to salute the birthday of Jesus.
Also at midnight, all the sheep in the fields turn and bow towards the East.
25 DECEMBER Christmas Day
(Public Holiday)
Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year 'Christmas' - we celebrate the 'Mass', or church service, for Christ.
The word Christmas (or Christ's Mass) comes from the Old English name Cristes Maesse - Christ's Mass - and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December.
Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. Most people are on holiday in England and stay at home with their family on Christmas day.
Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December in England, with a Christmas dinner for the whole family.
During the weeks before Christmas Day, we send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. We also decorate our homes and churches with green leaves, paper decorations and colourful electric lights.
This is the favourite day for children. They wake up very early in the morning to find their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before going down to breakfast.Family presents are opened either late morning or during the afternoon. The family gather together to open the presents found under the Christmas tree
Church Services: Many people will go to church to sing carols and to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. More people attend the church on this day than any other day of the year. People put on their best clothes to go to church.
Christmas Dinner: The whole family sit down for Christmas dinner at mid-day
The Queen's Speech: A traditional feature of Christmas afternoon is the Queen's Christmas Message. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Queen gives her Christmas Message to the nation which is broadcast on radio and television.
December Superstitions
"Marry on December third
For all the grief you ever heard "
A Christmas pudding should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His Disciples and that every member of the family should take turns to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west, in honour of the Wise Men.
If you take a candle to church this Christmas, don't bring it home, blow it out and leave it there with the vicar for good luck.
"On Christmas Eve all animals can speak."
However, it is bad luck to test this superstition.
"The child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune."
"Wearing new shoes on Christmas Day will bring bad luck."
"Good luck will come to the home where a fire is kept burning throughout the Christmas season. "
If a girl raps at the henhouse door on Christmas Eve and a rooster crows, she will marry within the year.
How much do you know about Christmas?
26 DECEMBER Boxing Day (28 DECEMBER 2009 Substitute Bank Holiday in lieu of 26th Dec because 26th falls at the weekend)
(Bank Holiday)
Boxing Day is usually on 26 December in the United Kingdom, Canada and some other Commonwealth countries. The day after Christmas Day is also known as St Stephen's Day or the Feast of Stephen as mentioned in the carol 'Good King Wenceslas'.
The origins of Boxing Day are uncertain. The name could have come about from the custom of priests opening alms boxes in churches after Christmas. These held money which had been given for needy people in the days coming up to Christmas. Another story of how it began is from the tradition of employers and wealthy people giving their servants and trades people Christmas boxes (gifts) as a way of saying thank you for good service throughout the year.
DECEMBER Holy Innocents Day - ChildermassHoly Innocents Day, also known as Childermas, falls on 28 December. It commemorates King Herod's massacre of all male infants in and around Bethlehem under the age of two in attempt to kill the young Christ.
In the days when Christmas was less child-centred, Childermas was a time for indulging children with treats and parties.
Unlucky
On a more sombre note, 28 December is widely regarded as the unluckiest day of the year, so don't do anything and certainly don't start anything on this day
Christmas Activities
DECEMBER New Year's Eve31st December is the last day of the year. It is New Year's Eve. Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'. This celebration is particularly dear to the Scots. They call it Hogmanay.
All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called 'Auld Lang Syne'. It reminds them of old and new friends.
Bank Holiday = a day off school and work.
New Year's Day (1 January 2010)
(Bank holiday)
New Year's Day is the first day of the year, in the Gregorian calendar. In modern times, it is January 1. It is a time for looking forward and wishing for a good year ahead. It is also a holiday.
People welcome in the New Year on the night before. This is called New Year's Eve. In Scotland, people celebrate with a lively festival called Hogmanay. All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock - Big Ben - strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called Auld Lang Syne. It reminds them of old and new friends.
The Door Custom
In the old days, the New Year started with a custom called 'first footing', which was suppose to bring good luck to people for the coming year. As soon as midnight had passed and January 1st had started, people used to wait behind their doors for a dark haired person to arrive. The visitor carried a piece of coal, some bread, some money and some greenery. These were all for good luck - the coal to make sure that the house would always be warm, the bread to make sure everyone in the house would have enough food to eat, money so that they would have enough money, and the greenery to make sure that they had a long life.
The visitor would then take a pan of dust or ashes out of the house with him, thus signifying the departure of the old year.
It was an old Saxon belief that 2nd January was one of the unluckiest days of the whole year. Those unfortunate enough to be born on this day could expect to dies an unpleasant death.
5 - 6 January
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.
Twelfth Day is the last day of Christmas season. In the Church of England, the Christmas season begins at Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve.
Twelfth Day, as its name tells us, is the sixth of January - just twelve days after Christmas Day.
In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some eastern churches, Epiphany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas.
Many places throughout the UK carry out the Twelfth Night tradition called "Wassailing." On Twelfth Night a lot of people gather to drink to apple trees and to each others health
11 JANUARY 2010 Plough Monday
The first Monday after Twelfth Night is Plough Monday, a day when ploughmen traditionally blackened their faces and marked the end of the Christmas period for the agricultural communities.
Molly Dancers
Molly dancing is most commonly performed on or around Plough Monday.
In the past, Molly dancers sometimes accompanied the farm labourers to dance and entertain for money. They blackened their faces with soot to disguise themselves so they could not be recognised by their future employers.
2 FEBRUARY Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights )
2nd February is Candlemas Day. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February.
Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights. Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Christians often talk of Jesus as 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this.
Traditional games played in February
Shrove Tuesday marks forty days before Easter. The forty days are supposed to be a time of quietness and fasting. Shrove Tuesday (sometimes called Mischief Day) was the last day before Lent, so it was the last day for fun and food for a long time.
A special game of football is a played in February. It is played differently from the game our country is well known for. This game of football has no rules and is played on Shrove Tuesday. In some villages and towns traffic would be stopped and all the men would come out into the street at a set time. The church bell would ring and a football would be thrown into the crowd and the biggest ever football game was played. This game is still played in some places in England.
Skipping is also a traditional Shrove Tuesday game.
14 FEBRUARY VALENTINE'S DAY
Valentine's Day (Saint Valentine's Day) is an occasion celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery.
Valentine's Day Superstitions & Traditions
Traditionally, spring begins on St Valentine's Day (February 14th), the day on which birds chose their mates. In parts of Sussex Valentines Day was called 'the Birds' Wedding Day'.
There are many other traditions and superstitions associated with romance activities on Valentine's day including:
•the first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband;
•if the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
•if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.
•In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.
•In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
16 FEBRUARY - Shrove Tuesday 2010 - Last day of Carnival.(Mardi Gras)
The day before Lent begins. It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes.Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between 3 February and 9 March.
The name Shrove comes from the old word "shrive" which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began.
A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a pan.
17 FEBRUARY Ash Wednesday . Lent begins
Ash Wednesday is a Christian festival. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important Christian festival of Easter.
1 March - The national day of Wales is St David's Day.
St David is Wales's patron saint.
Not an official holiday
14 MARCH 2010 Mother's Day
When is Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day)?
Mothering Sunday (Mother's Day) is always the fourth Sunday of Lent.
2010 Mothering Sunday in UK in 2010 - 14 March
(Mother's Day in US in 2010 - 9 May)
Mothering Sunday is not a fixed day because it is always the middle Sunday in Lent (which lasts from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter Sunday). This means that Mother's Day in the UK will fall on different dates each year and sometimes even fall in different months.
Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century.
17 March - The national day of Northern Ireland is St Patrick's Day.
St Patrick is Ireland's patron Saint
Not an official holiday
1 APRIL - APRIL FOOL'S DAY
It is commonly believed that that April Fool came about because of the change of calendars. In 1582, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar called the Gregorian calendar which is the calendar we still use today.
The new calendar was introduced because the old calendar, called the Julian calendar, was ahead by ten days because each year was a little too long. Gregory moved the new calendar forward by ten days.
Britain didn't accept the new calendar until 1752.
In the Julian calendar, the old calendar, New Year was celebrated from March 25th to April 1st. The first day of the Gregorian calendar is January 1st.
France
In France, people were forgetful and other people refused to accept the new calendar, so they still celebrated New Year on April 1st. Other people would play tricks on them and call them April Fools.
April fooling became popular in England and Scotland during the 1700s.
April Fool Jokes
April Fool jokes usually involve persuading someone to do something silly, like looking for hen's teeth, striped paint, a long weight, a left-handed screwdriver or some other non-existent thing.
However, you can only play April Fools on people before midday –at midday the fun must stop or the trickster is told:
'April Fool's Day is past and gone,
Your 're the fool and I am none.'
Good Friday
(Public Holiday)
On Good Friday, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.
Easter Monday (5 April 2010)
(Bank Holiday)
Egg rolling
Egg rolling is very popular in England and the rest of the UK and is an Easter Monday sport. Hard-boiled eggs are rolled down a hill. Customs differ from place to place. The winner's egg may be the one that rolls the farthest, survives the most rolls, or is rolled between two pegs.
Biddenden Dole
Hare Pie Scramble and Bottle Kicking
At Hallaton in Leicestershire, the Hare Pie Scramble and Bottle Kicking, an unruly rugby game between the village of Hallaton and Medbourne, takes place every Easter Monday. Hallaton is picturesque village with lots of old thatched cottages and set in beautiful countryside.
Small wooden barrels filled with ale are used as rugby balls in the no-holds barrel contest, the object of which is to get each of the three casks to a touchline in either village.
The game
Two teams fight over three small beer barrels, in an attempt to get each barrel across the stream in their village by any means possible. The two teams are the Hallaton team, made up exclusively of villagers, and the Medbourne team, open to anyone.
The Hallaton side try to get the barrels down the hill and over the stream behind the Bewick Arms, whilst the Medbourne team try to get the barrels over the fields for a mile or so towards their village.
The game is played as a best of three with one barrel in playat a time. It is a very tough contest that can last for hours, crossing numerous hedges, lanes, ditches and even barbed wire to reach their touchlines.
23 APRIL St George's Day
St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.
St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.
Early May Bank Holiday (3 May 2010)
(First Monday in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (31 May 2010)
(Last Monday in May)
Summer Bank Holiday (30 Aug 2010)
(Last Monday in August)
2nd - 6th SEPTEMBER 1666 The Great Fire of London raged for four days - destroying more than 13,000 houses and almost 100 churches - including St Paul's Cathedral. A total of 6 people are killed.
14th OCTOBER 1066 The Battle of Hastings
(or Battle of Senlac Hill) on the southern coast of England. An English army, commanded by King Harold, is defeated by the invasion force of William of Normandy. King Harold is killed and William'The Conqueror' is proclaimed King of England.
21st OCTOBER 1805 The Battle of Trafalgar
A British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the coast of Spain. At the height of the engagement on October 21, Nelson was mortally wounded while pacing the quarterdeck of the HMS Victory. He died a few hours later, and his body was solemnly brought back to England for burial. In London, a column was erected to his memory in the newly named Trafalgar Square.
OCTOBER Halloween (Eve of All Hallows)http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/CUSTOMS/calendars/index.htm
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