Happy Easter 2009

A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO

ALL JOURNAL READERS

Brainteaser

Today's brainteaser is a picture puzzle. What do you think is being carefully loaded onto the plane? If you think you know the answer drop me an e-mail to garlant@btinternet.com - good luck! Answer in tomorrows Journal.

Looking Back - Good Friday Agreement

On this day in 1998 one of the most important agreements in British history was reached. After nearly two years of talks and thirty years of conflict the Northern Ireland peace talks finally ended in agreement. Dubbed the 'Good Friday Agreement' it was to lay the foundations for lasting peace in the province. It was hailed as triumph for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic of Ireland's leader Bertie Ahern, who had succeeded where all their predecessors had failed. The proposals in the agreement included plans for a Northern Ireland Assembly, new cross-border involving the Irish Republic and a body linking devolved assemblies across the UK with Westminster and Dublin. The proposals were to be the subject of a referendum the following month, after they had been posted to every household in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. A referendum held in May 1998 on both sides of the Irish border, returned a resounding "yes" vote for the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking after the agreement had been reached Tony Blair said, "Today I hope that the burden of history can at long last start to be lifted from our shoulders." The chairman of the talks, former US Senator George Mitchell, paid tribute to all those who had taken part. Claiming there was still a big gap of distrust between nationalists and unionists Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said, "It must be bridged on the basis of equality. We are reaching out the hand of friendship" he added. Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said, "I see a great opportunity for us to start a healing process." Representatives of the loyalist paramilitary groups UDP and PUP also welcomed the agreement. Since that time differences between the various factions have led to difficulties, but by and large the agreement has held firm, bringing peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland for the last twenty one years.

Easter Eggs

Easter eggs in one form or another have been around for centuries. Chosen as a symbol of rebirth dyed eggs were eaten at feasts all over the middle and far eastern world. The tradition eventually spread to the west, where in addition to dyed eggs, papier-mache eggs were made and exchanged as long ago as the 17th century. In the late nineteenth century fabulous jewel encrusted eggs were made for royalty by the master craftsman Faberge. The first chocolate eggs originated in Europe and were made solid. The first mass-produced chocolate eggs were made in England, by Cadbury's in 1873. Today Easter eggs come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from a plain hollow egg to those filled with popular sweets and individual chocolates. Whilst more expensive chocolate eggs may contain decadent cream and alcohol truffles. In recent years miniature chocolate cream eggs have become a particular favourite with thick chocolate casing and a gooey cream centre.

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Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are a type of sweet spiced bun made with currants or raisins and leavened with yeast. It has a cross marked on the top which might be effected in one of a variety of ways including: pastry, flour and water mixture, rice paper, icing, or intersecting cuts.
In many historically Christian countries, buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. First mention of hot cross buns was in 1733, it is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre. The cross thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon. Eostre is probably the origin of the name Easter. According to cookery writer Elizabeth David, Protestant English monarchs saw the buns as a dangerous hold-over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the dough used in making the communion water. Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Queen Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas.

Today's Smile