General Chat

St. Swithin's Day is 15 July, a day on which people watch the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather is like on St. Swithin's Day, it will continue so for the next forty days.

There is a weather-rhyme is well known throughout the British Isles since Elizabethan times. copied from projectbritain.com

'St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.'

dost = does
thou = you
nae mair = no more.

Who was St. Swithin?

St. Swithin (or more properly, Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester. He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capital, Winchester. He was famous for charitable gifts and building churches.

Why do people watch the weather on St. Swithin's day?

A legend says that as the Bishop lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, where he would be trodden on and rained on. For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral on 15 July 971. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm either during the ceremony or on its anniversary.

This led to the old wives' tale (folklore) that if it rains on St Swithin's Day (July 15th), it will rain for the next 40 days in succession, and a fine 15th July will be followed by 40 days of fine weather. copied from projectbritain.com

However, according to the Met Office, this old wives' tale is nothing other than a myth. It has been put to the test on 55 occasions*, when it has been wet on St Swithin's Day and 40 days of rain did not follow.

Hiah Purple, here we have sunshine and showers, so it looks like a normal summer for us. Why couldn't it have been last week when it was great and only rained at night. Hey am goin to try to get more replies in and see if oh and son have at last sorted my machine. Elaine.

Hi folks,

It's been very blustery here, really windy, but not raining at the mo altho it was drizzly early this morning so o.h. took the car instead of cycled. Hope the rain holds off all day and maybe we won't get too much over the next 40 days.
Maybe I need to buy a brolly to go with my posh wedding frock!
Oh but my maths are out, if it rains and then stops after 40 days the wedding weekend will be safe from the curse, just !

My friend and her hubby are driving from Hannover today to come and stay in Norwich so hope the weather isn't too awful.

Joan, hope you don't get too much water around you.

Elaine, hope your computer hiccups have been halted. Will reply to your message soon.

Lizxx

Dear All

Hello

Hope you are well.

No rain here so far...............!

Dear Purple.............thank you for posting this.

Take gentle care
Very best wishes
xx

Hi Liz.
That is good news as it is beautiful here today. The temp is in the 20c's.
Looking at the 14 day forcast - nothing but sun and warm temperatures.

Deb

Yes I knew that... and of course it is Karen's birthday, so we never miss the day.
WELL.... it was winter here today... ;-0)
Good night all.
Deanna X

pouring down here today and windy,

ad to stay in wiht grandson, it to wet to take baby out

Oh Pauline, that's one big test for the tent lol hope it's ok
It would have blown away if it was here yesterday it was so blustery and all the petals blowing off the jasmine and some of the other flowers.

DizzieLizzie, flooded out of the restaurant ? As you say, memorable but not the best way to celebrate an 18th birthday

Hope everyone had good weather, we had rain in the morning but ok ever since so hope we don't get too wet a summer, what's left of it!


Looks as if we will be having a late holiday as usual.
Lizx