News for March 2006

Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour this year will take place on the 17th of June to celebrate the Queen's official 80th birthday. The Trooping of the Colour dates back to beyond the 18th century when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (trooped) down the ranks so soldiers could see and recognise them, but it is only since 1748 that it has marked the official birthday of the monarch. The Queen is greeted with a royal salute and inspects the troops. After a musical 'troop' the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards march past the Queen while the King's Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery rank past. She then rides back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage and takes the salute from a dais.
Only one colour can be trooped at a time, so the 5 regiments - the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh - rotate each year. Trooping the Colour has taken place each year with the Queen at the saluting base with the exception of 1955, when the parade was cancelled due to a national rail strike.
20 March 2006

Mad as a March Hare!
The March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won't be raving mad - at least not so mad as it was in March. (from 'Alice in Wonderland')

We all know the term 'Mad as a March Hare' but do we know its origin?
Country folk would observe the behaviour of hares during March, the beginning of the long breeding season. But what is less well known is that unreceptive female hares would beat off over-enthusiastic males, making them wilder than ever. This phrase was used back in 1546 by John Heywood in his 'Collection of Proverbs'. It thus entered English folklore long before Lewis Carroll in 'Alice' assured its place in posterity.
16 March 2006

Family History Surnames
Our Family History Surname records now exceed 10,000 ranging from the most common to the more elusive. Here are just a few histories and details of several interesting surnames.
15 March 2006    More...

Family History for All!
March was a mixed time of year for our ancestors. Mothering Sunday, also known as mid-Lent Sunday, saw mothers receive a small trinket or cake as a sign of affection from their offspring. Bearing in mind the harshness and general painfulness of life, Mothering Sunday must have been a welcome relief and show of affection for the women who nurtured and cared for the gift bearers. One common gift was a Simnel cake, boiled and baked for hours leaving a stiff crust. It was not uncommon for the cake to be mistaken for other objects as a result of its firm exterior, with one lady using it as a footstool!
8 March 2006