Five Star Crop Circle

Inside view of a crop circle at Stanton St Bernard in Wiltshire, England. The first formation to appear resembles a church or temple with five spires and five teardrops beneath.  (It is suggested that these represent five stars, or four stars plus Venus, which is known as the Evening Star) A second formation of concentric circles was added at a later date. For aerial views and further details go to Crop Circle Connector.

St Swithins Day

After heavy rain across the UK over the past month, St Swithin's Day is now upon us.

According to the traditional rhyme, if it rains on this day, (15 July) 40 days of rain will follow. If it is sunny, there should be 40 days of fine weather: 

"St Swithin's Day if it dost rain, for forty days it will remain.

"St Swithin's Day if it be fair, for forty days 'twill rain no mair."

Swithin (sometimes spelt Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester and legend has it that as he lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried outdoors, at one with nature.

For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, in 971, the monks of Winchester decided to build the saint a splendid shrine inside the cathedral. There was a heavy rain storm on 15 July which hampered the attempt to remove his remains indoors, and this was taken to be a sign of St Swithin’s protest at the move.

Fire and Stone

Stonehenge was lit up with lanterns, flaming candles and burning coals to create a Fire Garden. The installation by Compagnie Carabosse was organised by Salisbury Arts Festival as part of the extended programme of events marking the London 2012 Olympic games. The Olympic torch passed through Stonehenge and Salisbury on its way to the games.