Boxing Day

By Esmerelda Weatherwax

Boxing Day, which is of cultural and secular imporance in England. Traditionally the family, or some of them, might go to a football match; there is always an attempt when seting a season’s fixtures to arrange a local derby if possible. Our local match will be New Years day. Or some might go to one of the organised events. The pantomime season used to start today, although in recent years pantomimes start running from the beginning of December.

Or maybe something like the Matlock Raft Race or the Scarborough Raft Race or in Kenilworth, Bilbury, Leicester and elsewhere sponsor a duck for a Duck race (not real live ducks, no waterfowl are harmed in the making of this race)

A friend speaks highly of the unique challenge made by the Geddington Volunteer Fire Brigade to one or more of the other local fire brigades, known as the Geddington Squirt.  Geddington is a very interesting village in Northamptonshire. It has most of its original Eleanor Cross from the 13th century. Queen Eleanor was the wife of King Edward I;  he ordered 12 crosses erected at the 12 places her funeral procession stopped in a journey from Lincolnshire to burial in Westminster Abbey.  Ostensibly the Squirt is a demonstration by trained responsible men (even if some are volunteers they are trained and capable) of the capabilities of fire-fighting equipment. But I fear there may be an element of the small boys showing off how high they can – ….

I find many of the best of men retain a sense of childlike fun, which is one of the factors that make them the best.

We did the easiest and most accessible of the Boxing Day potential activities. The family Walk in the Fresh Air.

Caption competition. What did the heron say to the cormorant?

All I can say is that 10 minutes later the cormorant was diving in the middle of the lake, while the heron was standing on the edge of the island, beak bent in concentration.

Boxing Day 2024
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One Response

  1. Yes, just what did the Heron say to the Cormorant way back when Arthur was King:

    Here is just one answer:

    Two Birds Chatting-A Dialogue About the Search for the Holy Grail

    Geoffrey Clarfield
    December 2024

    Said the Heron to the Cormorant
    Good day to you sir
    I come from Camelot
    Of that you can be sure
    I’ve seen the table
    Of the King and his peers
    I have nibbled at their turkey
    And taken sips from their beer
    One of their best has forsworn women
    This I just cannot understand
    For even birds like you and me
    Stop thinking when the moment is at hand

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