The Parish Magazine February 2024

the parish noticeboard — 4
Claude's
view
from
the
pew
February has always been a special month for me as both
Barbara (my late wife) and I celebrated our birthdays just
two weeks apart, so we would always spoil ourselves at this
time with a special meal out with our family.
This year, I reach my 90th birthday on 3rd February and
arrangements are in place to continue these celebrations
with all my Grandchildren visiting from around the country
to join me.
These preparations brought back thoughts of celebrations
from years gone by. However, growing up during the war
meant that we didn't have much to celebrate and there seems
to be a void in my memory of birthday parties during my
childhood. I can only assume that children's parties did not
happen due to the constraints of the war years. I do, however,
remember having a cake with candles. I think the parties
were saved up for Victory in Europe street parties, of which I
have fond memories.
Twenty first birthdays were more important than they
are now and mine was celebrated with a few friends. As the
following day found me being conscripted for my National
Service, that would have been very much in my thoughts.
I was posted to Hong Kong about seven months later,
returning after about 15 months, when I was demobbed.
Shortly after that, I do remember Barbara's 21st birthday
party and dance being quite an affair. It was held in Reading
Town Hall (the small hall known as Victoria Hall) and many
people attended, including my parents. It was the same venue
as our wedding reception would be the following year.
Barbara and I hosted various parties in our home over the
years and we always enjoyed celebrating with others.
Claude and Barbara celebrating an anniversary with a glass of bubbly
From the
editor's desk
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk
February?
The Parish Magazine - February 2024 13
I usually write this column early on when working on the
next issue of this magazine, but this month I overlooked it
until I had almost finished it and discovered an oversight.
While there are mentions of other features of February
this year, such as the start of Lent and so on, I had missed
the 'leap' aspect.
February is, of course, the shortest month of the year
and unlike any other month. Every four years it starts and
finishes on the same day of the week because of the extra
'leap' day. This year is a good example, February starts on
a Thursday and ends on a Thursday.
The Earth takes approximately 365 and a quarter
days to orbit the Sun. The quarter day, creates the need
for a leap day every four years to correct the in-balance.
There are alternative ways of adjusting the calendar, for
example, the ancient Hebrew calendar incorporated a
'leap' month every four years.
While we all enjoy the extra day, leap years can have
their problems for some people. When I was a child, I had
a friend who was unfortunately born on 29 February and
so only had a proper birthday party once every four years.
She was not alone, however, as there are an estimated 5
million people in the world who are 'leaplings' — that's
the name for someone born on 29 February,
HAPPY FEBRUARY
This year Claude, who writes a regular column for us,
will be 90 years old in February, and we thank him for his
long support of our magazine and wish him a very happy
birthday!
Also this February, we begin the 40 days of Lent which
follow Ash Wednesday, a day that is governed by the
phases of the moon. This year it is on 14 February, which,
of course, is also Valentine's Day when tradition expects
us to tell the people we love that we love them.
I have always thought this to be a strange requirement
because love is not limited to a special day, love is about
every moment of our lives and the only people who really
benefit from Valentine's Day are the florists, chocolate
manufacturers and card sellers! I believe that it is far
better to tell the people you love that you love them every
day, when possible, and to show your love for them every
day in the way you treat them.
Having said this, I am not saying we should ignore
Valentine's Day, which is why on page 31 you will find
Harriet's latest article about the fashionable clothes you
might wear to enhance the romance of your day.
And if you are wondering why we have a candle stuck
in an orange on the front cover of this issue, then see the
centre pages about Candlemas and the annual Christingle
celebrations and fund-raising for charity that will be held
in St Andrew's this month. Have a happy February!