IGO April 24 News Extra
An April Showers intro from our editor Helen:
Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in May,
So if it's raining have no regrets,
Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets.
And where you see clouds upon the hills,
You soon will see crowds of daffodils,
So keep on looking for a bluebird,
And list'ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along.
Who sung this song for the first time, when?
Although its sentiments may be wearing a little thin now for us today with the amount of rain we have had! I hope you enjoy this month's News Extra.
Whimsical illutrsation of April showers, made using Canva's Magic AI tool
Helen Titherington, Trust Volunteer – IGO News Extra Editor
This group meets on the first Monday of the month at 4pm.
This group will meet to discuss a whole range of gardening topics, for example - identification of unusual plants, right plant right place, composting, organic gardening, container gardening, vegetable gardening ,successes/failures and reasons for each, advice to and from members, what they are doing now, problem solving, pictures of their garden, video walk-abouts in their garden, gardens they have visited.
We welcome new members.
The aim of the Chess Club is to learn about, discuss and play Chess in a friendly and co-operative way. Both learners and good players are very welcome.
There will be special meetings for those who wish to learn how to play chess. Other meetings will consider, for instance, strategies, techniques and tactics, famous chess games, books and chess web-sites.
Games on-line for members of the group will be suggested between meetings.
Meetings will be at 2pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, starting on Tuesday 28th May – where we will discuss how to proceed.
Please contact join the group on Beacon or contact David Castle for more information.
In early 2009, Mayor of London Boris Johnson spearheaded a campaign to encourage the celebration of St. George's Day, and during the 2017 and 2019 general elections the Labour Party campaigned for it to be a public holiday.
Today, St. George's day may be celebrated with anything English including morris dancing and Punch and Judy shows. A traditional custom on St. George's day is to fly or adorn the St George’s Cross Flag in some way: Pubs in particular can be seen on 23 April festooned with garlands of St. George's crosses. It is customary for the hymn "Jerusalem” to be sung in cathedrals, churches and chapels on St. George's Day, or on the Sunday closest to it.
Please send in your photos of celebrations you have witnessed - attach them to an email to the editor
The photo is of celebrations in Graves End, from Wiki Commons.
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics." 2025 will be the 55th anniversary of Earth Day.
Here at Interest groups Online please note a name change for one of our biggest groups - Countdown to COP has been renamed as Climate Matters. Click on the link to join.
1633 – Which fruit went on sale for the time in London?
1721 – Who became the first Prime Minister of Britain?
1739 – Which famous highway man was hanged in York?
1770 – Which European was the first to arrive in Botany Bay?
1858 – What is the name of the biggest bell in the world hung on this date?
1919 – 379 Sikhs were killed and 1200 were injured by British troops where in India?
1964 – The Beatles fill the first 5 places in the US singles chart – give yourself a point for each one you can name …
1969 – What change was made to the age at which you could vote?
1983 – What type of communication device first went on sale in Britain?
