Fi Phillips

This last weekend, I persuaded my family to head into Chester to watch a local parade. The Midsummer Watch, obviously linked to midsummer's day, is one of Britain's oldest festivals apparently, dating back 500 years to medieval and Tudor Chester. You can find out more about it here . Accordi ng to an extract from the  Book of Days, The pageants became general in the reigns of the Tudors and Stuarts .. and have, like their predecessors the mysteries, their relation to English drama; not only were they composed for the purpose of flattering and complimenting their princes, but a moral end was constantly kept in view; virtue was applauded, while vice was set forth in its most revolting and unpleasing colours; and the altercation between these two leading personages often afforded the populace the highest amusement. The day was sunny and the square outside the town hall wasn't as busy as I thought it would be, although there was a cheerful, family crowd waiting for th...

Today is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year - a time for standing still (as the sun appears to) to take stock and for celebrating the warmth and joy in our lives. It's a day that is fertile with the optimism of summer days, and nights. What is it about summer that brings out the best in us? Even on a muggy, cloudy day like it is here, we throw open the windows, bare our legs and look up. Perhaps the vibrancy of colour makes us look around and outside of ourselves. Ideally, the warmer temperatures should cause us to unfurl from our winter wrappings, although British summers can rarely be relied upon for a multitude of sunny days. Maybe it's the smell of freshly mown grass or suntan lotion (which we British stoically bring out from around April each year, regardless of the weather). It could be all of these things and more, but summer definitely brings on a change in our outlook. Life can be a treadmill, not necessarily an unpleasant...

Today is the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, midsummer day, otherwise known as Litha, when the sun is at its highest and seems to stand still. In the past (and still nowadays at stone circles such as Stonehenge and the one at Avebury), revellers would stay up all night on Midsummer Eve waiting for the sun to rise. There would be bonfires and fire lit processions and celebrations of the sun's power. To me, this day is a time to stand still (like the sun seems to) and take stock of the good things in my life. Look around you. Enjoy the day, sun or rain. Wish well to your friends (and maybe those who aren't your friends too). If you can, share the day with those whom you love and have fun.