Today is 1 April, also known as April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day. The day is traditionally marked by playing tricks on friends, family and neighbours, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. In England, and some other countries, the pranks must be played out by noon, after this time the person playing the trick is regarded as the 'April Fool'. In certain countries such as Ireland, France and the United States the jokes last all day. No one really knows when or where the tradition started but many theories have been suggested. The one I like best is that in France 1 April used to be counted as the first day of the year. When King Charles IX changed that to 1 January, some people stayed with 1 April. Those who did were called 'April Fools' and were taunted by their neighbours. Some well known pranks from the past include:
San Serriffe The Guardian printed a supplement in 1977 praising this fictional resort, its two main islands (Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse) its capital (Bodoni) and its leader (General Pica). Intrigued readers were later disappointed to learn that San Serriffe (sans serif) did not exist except as references to typeface terminology.
Smell-o-vision In 1965 the BBC purported to conduct a trial of a new technology allowing the transmission of odor over the airwaves to all viewers. Many viewers reportedly contacted the BBC to report the trials success. In 2007 the BBC website repeated an online version of the hoax.
Tower of Pisa The Dutch television news reported once in the 1950's that the Tower of Pisa had fallen over. Many shocked people contacted the station.
Left Handed Whoppers In 1998 Burger King ran an ad in 'USA Today' saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the "old" right-handed burgers.
So, be careful what you see, hear or read before lunchtime today!
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Poem - Blankney Rain
Blankney Rain
The rain has stopped
And silence falls
On wet slate roofs
And damp stone walls
Glass like patches streak the road
Lit by a dim street light
That casts its murky shadows
As day gives way to night
Along the rusting iron fence
Caught in the meagre light
Hang rows of tiny raindrops
Like jewels in the night
Water gurgles down the spout
Of the long abandoned school
And in the yard where children played
It forms a watery pool
Slugs and snails now on the move
Lazily slither and climb
Along the paths and hedges
Leaving behind their trail of slime
Mighty trees quench their thirst
As water filters down to roots
That nourish boughs in heavy leaf
And nurture next years tender shoots
And in tomorrows morning sun
The village will stir again
Renewed, refreshed, replenished
By the falling Blankney rain
Rodney Garlant
Canon J. O. Stephens
Yesterday I published a press report about Blankney Parish Choir and Bellringers Annual Supper, hosted by the vicar, John Otter Stephens, at Blankney vicarage. Today we get a closer look at one of these occasions, through the eyes of a member of the choir who was present.
The annual adult members choir supper was held at the Rectory on Monday evening last. The Company, which included the bellringer's and two of their friends from Lincoln, assembled at 7.30 p.m., the Rector , as usual providing in his A1 style, to which justice was done. After the cloths were removed the remainder of the evening was spent in games, puffing the fragrant weed, the Rector's cigarettes coming in for a fair share of sampling, harmony etc. during the intervals the Rector giving several of his little speeches of sound, practical advice which it is to be hoped it will have the desired effect. The gentlemen very kindly obliging with songs were Mr. Edwards (choir master), Mr. Disney, Mr. Aslet, Mr. Houghton and Mr. Tye, Mr Edwards accompanying. Mrs Stephens and the young ladies very thoughtfully arranged the dining room with choice flowers from sunny la belle France and evergreens, which had a very charming effect, and which the Rector quite surprised us all by placing under the magic rays of the electric light. The usual vote of thanks to the Rector, Mrs. Stephens, the young ladies and the choirmaster, after singing the National Anthem about midnight, brought another happy gathering to an end.............Signed TENOR
The annual adult members choir supper was held at the Rectory on Monday evening last. The Company, which included the bellringer's and two of their friends from Lincoln, assembled at 7.30 p.m., the Rector , as usual providing in his A1 style, to which justice was done. After the cloths were removed the remainder of the evening was spent in games, puffing the fragrant weed, the Rector's cigarettes coming in for a fair share of sampling, harmony etc. during the intervals the Rector giving several of his little speeches of sound, practical advice which it is to be hoped it will have the desired effect. The gentlemen very kindly obliging with songs were Mr. Edwards (choir master), Mr. Disney, Mr. Aslet, Mr. Houghton and Mr. Tye, Mr Edwards accompanying. Mrs Stephens and the young ladies very thoughtfully arranged the dining room with choice flowers from sunny la belle France and evergreens, which had a very charming effect, and which the Rector quite surprised us all by placing under the magic rays of the electric light. The usual vote of thanks to the Rector, Mrs. Stephens, the young ladies and the choirmaster, after singing the National Anthem about midnight, brought another happy gathering to an end.............Signed TENOR
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