About 21-23 April

Saturday, 21st April - 10.45 am. A short walk to the 'Bluebell Woods'; if you would like to meet us at 10.45 am, at the junction of Kirkstone Drive with Forest Road, then we could all stroll to the Bluebell Woods (and still be back in town soon after noon). Its not far from the University - just walk west from the town centre. - Addded to Calendar

Sunday, 22nd April - Open-House as usual at Emmanuel 'Lounge' - will we see you there?

Monday, 23rd April - Saint George's Day - The national day of England. St. George is the 'patron saint' of England. Born in Turkey in the 3rd century, he was a brave Roman soldier. Whilst in England he heard that the Roman Emperor was executing Christians, so he travelled to Rome to plead for their freedom; his protest ending in his own death. A story that first appeared in the 6th century tells of St. George rescuing a fair maiden by slaying a fearsome fire-breathing dragon, although less is known of his other feats. The saint's name was shouted as a battle cry by English Knights who fought beneath the red-cross banner of St. George during the Hundred Years War (1338-1453). This is immortalised in Shakespeare's play Henry V in the lines: "I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. The game's afoot: follow your spirit; and, upon this charge cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George!". A national feast in his honour was created in 1415. The English national flag is a wide red cross on a white background, and the national flower is a red & white rose. This day is also said to be the birthday of William Shakespeare in 1564.