Whats happened to the British summer?

[Roy H]

Yesterday I got up and put on a t-shirt and jeans. Within 30 minutes I had to go and put on a long sleeved jumper because I was COLD!! Last night the forecast said it was down to 5 degrees overnight. 5 degrees?? Its June!!!! A week today is midsummers day, why is it so coooooold??!!!!!!   

[celeste]

It's been cold in May and June, or rainy for the last three years, yet when I am in London in July it's boiling and I sleep with just a sheet on,  then it rains again in August and is warm again mid-September to October.

People say it's 'Global Warming' more like we are taking the power from the sun, just a thought, or either that or it's my fault and it's revenge for the 'Bay of  Pigs'

[Roy H]

People say it's 'Global Warming' more like we are taking the power from the sun, just a thought, or either that or it's my fault and it's revenge for the 'Bay of  Pigs'

'Bay of Pigs' ? Please explain, I've never heard of this!! Cold overnight again last night, maybe an indian summer is on the cards??!!! 

[celeste]

Hi, 'the bay of pigs' is just a phrase I've heard bandied about, more seriously a failed attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow the Cuban government backed by Nixon, Kennedy and actioned by the CIA.

Our summer has gone pear-shaped would probably be used as well.

Yes we seem to have had Indian summers in recent years, what's the name of that 'weatherman' in Cheshire who forecasts the weather in the local rags, he often gets it right?

[Roy H]

Hi, not sure about which weatherman you are referring to, is he an amateur or is he on the TV as well? The one I remember is Fred Talbot who used to jump around on the floating 'map' in the Albert Dock when Richard and Judy came from Granada Studios in Liverpool. 

[celeste]

We get the Sale and Altrincham Messenger here and he was often in there predicting the weather, perhaps someone can come on and tell us his name

[RAB]

...Never cast a clout 'till May be out !!

Now it seems too be true into June 

[Roy H]

...Never cast a clout 'till May be out !!

There is some confusion about this popular statement RAB! I always thought, like yourself, that what was being referred to was the month of May. However, someone said to me some years ago that it was the mayflower that the phrase alluded to.....

Anyone out there know which is right?

Also, I always thought that Midsummer's Day (longest day) is the 21st June (summer solstice) This year it was said to be last Friday the 20th owing to it being a leap year. Then there are those who insist its the 22nd.......

Again, anyone throw any light on this? 

[RAB]

originally both Midsummer's Day and the Summer Solstice, or longest day, fell on the 24th of June. However, as the centuries have passed the longest day is now either the 20th or 21st of June, this discrepancy is said to have been caused by the variants of the Julian Calendar and the Tropical Year further confused by the Gregorian Calendar. This means that although we still celebrate Midsummer's Day on the 24th of June the actual Summer Solstice takes place on the 20th or 21st of June, this (2008) year falling on the 21st.

Prehistoric man used to celebrate the Summer Solstice, this is evident from the many stones circles and standing stones that have various alignments with the sun rise on this day

...well that's what it told me on the 'WWW'

http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/mid_summer.htm

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/festivals/june.html

 

[RAB]

There is some confusion about this popular statement RAB! I always thought, like yourself, that what was being referred to was the month of May. However, someone said to me some years ago that it was the mayflower that the phrase alluded to.....

Anyone out there know which is right?


the following sheds some light -

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/till-may-is-out.html

[Roy H]

Wow, thats great info, thanks RAB!!

Just to bring to topic up to date, I put the HEATER on in the car at 7am this morning, and I had my coat on - ITS NEARLY JULY!!!!!!!!! 

[celeste]

it had better be hot in London in a few weeks, it has been for the last three years

[celeste]

The guy I mentioned who writes for the Messenger about the weather is Tom Waghorn I think, he may have his own website.

[Roy H]

Tom Waghorn? Sounds like a character from  Four Feather Falls............ 

[celeste]

and that's the truth