Welcome to the SRT blog No. 32

Posted on in

4th December 2020 – Welcome to our blog post No. 32

Did you know …..

  • December often marks the beginning of rain, snow, and cold weather.

  • According to a study of over 11,000 individuals, babies born in December are most likely to reach the age of hundred or above.
  • Holly, Decembers birth flower, is full of symbolism. In Christianity, the berries were believed to be white, but stained red by Christ’s blood, while the spiky leaves represented the crown of thorns.
  • The month of December brings the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the shortest day of the year (the day with the least amount of daylight). In 2020, the solstice is on Monday, December 21
  • An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny.
  • The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10thmonth in the Roman calendar.
  • The term Yuletide comes from a Norse tradition of cutting and burning a tree to bring in the Winter Solstice. This was to last through 12 days – later known as the 12 days of Christmas.
  • Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas day.

  • In 1647 Oliver Cromwell, English Puritan leader, banned the festivities of Christmas for being seen as immoral on such a holy day. Anyone who was seen celebrating was arrested! The ban was lifted in 1660.
  • An ancient legend states that forest animals can speak in human language on Christmas Eve!
  • Decembers birth stone is the Turquoise
  • The zodiac sign for December is Sagittarius. They are optimistic, lovers of freedom, hilarious, fair-minded, honest and intellectual. They are spontaneous and fun, usually with a lot of friends, and are perhaps the best conversationalists in the zodiac

*************************

The new windcheaters have arrived at the Activity Centre, modelled here by Luka & Annette – perfect, on a very wet day!

 

 

 

 

 

Each has the Sunnyside logo printed on the back.

*************************

This years wreath making is  under way at Hemel Food Garden. The moss bases will have the tree fir added as a basis for all the decorations to then be added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh the concentration….. 

*************************

At Northchurch lots of old bits of carpet and felt fabric have been lain to protect the pond liner which is added on top. It’s now filling up with the rain – it didn’t stop all day on Thursday! It’s bigger than I thought it was going to be.

 

 

 

 

Christmas crafts -the sheeps fleeces have been saved and are being washed to remove some of the natural oils and the dirt from the fields

They’re then dried and felted, using a special little tool called a felting needle. That’s the really fun bit.

And made into little models of sheep to make a decorative item and displayed beautifully on the wooden plaque, also cut and made by the trainees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wreath displays underway

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Northchurch farm shop has Christmas stocks available of – small potted Christmas trees, coloured cut willow from the Activity Centre, Winter hanging baskets , the amazing Winter Chutney and special homemade doggies biscuits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finishing touches to the new fencing around the pigs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black feral cats are still returning for food.

 

Greedy chicken…..

 

 

 

 

*************************

21 sleeps to Christmas day.

Next week I’m on annual leave so we skip a week before the next blog.

See you then…..