Latest news with #Maypole
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Bloom time for spurge, the plant once used to catch fish
Among the nectar-rich, summer blossoms one tree stands out in May sunshine… whitethorn. I've lost count of the number of people remarking about its profusion and the way it dominates the countryside this year, seemingly more than ever. In places like the Beara and Dingle peninsulas, it overshadows many other plants. But, fuchsia, always associated with these magnificently scenic areas, should now be about to reassert itself. In Celtic mythology, the whitethorn was hugely valued. It was deemed to have properties that could cleanse the heart of negativity and also stimulate love and forgiveness. Travelling around the Cork-Kerry border countryside by the Blackwater the other day, the road between the neighbouring villages of Rathmore and Knocknagree felt like an avenue of whitethorn. This tree, we're told, does well in warm sunshine and when it stands alone in otherwise unsheltered areas. Its white leaves, sometimes blushed with delicate pink, should decorate the countryside well into June. Practically, the prickly thorns make for good fencing and hedging. Whitethorn also provides food for many insects and caterpillars; nectar and pollen for bees and flies, and nesting sites for birds. It features prominently in folklore and was used to decorate the Maypole in ancient Bealtaine celebrations. Whitethorn branch — this native tree is looking glorious at this time of year It was regarded as bad luck to bring whitethorn into a home as it might result in illness, or death, in a family. Lone whitethorn trees are sometimes seen in fields, or ring forts, and there's a custom among farmers not to interfere with them in any way. They were thought to signify places where fairies assembled after dark, playing sweet music from the 'otherworld'. The National Schools Folklore Collection from the late 1930s gathered some of the stories about these trees which were widely believed in many parts of Ireland. One concerned an old bush in the village of Roundfield, in County Galway, where the belief was that if anyone dared cut it down they would die, according to one pupil, Julia Coffey, who got the story from a local man, John Killeen. Grimly, Julia went on: 'One day, a man went out to cut it and a he heard a lot of little men dancing under the tree and he cut it and fell dead." Irish Spurge (Euphorbia hyberna) is in full bloom in the woods at the moment. This plant is one of the so-called Luisitanian species which are found almost exclusively in SW Ireland and northern Iberia. #wildflowerhour — Glengarriff Woods NR (@GlengarriffWood) April 14, 2019 Another plant readers have been telling us about is Irish spurge, seen in many parts of the south-west on roadsides and shady woodland. Its Irish name, 'bainne caoin', most likely comes from the milky sap which oozes out when the stem is broken. The sap is said to be poisonous and there's a tradition of placing the yellow and green-flowered plant in river water, thereby making fish float to the surface and easy to catch. The Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve, in West Cork, reports Irish splurge to be prominent in the woodland floor this summer.
Glasgow Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Why does the UK have 2 bank holidays in May every year?
Whether you work on bank holidays or enjoy a long weekend, you might wonder why there are two bank holidays taking place in May. Here's what we know about the two upcoming bank holidays and why they get a spot on the UK calendar each year. Why do we have two bank holidays in the UK in May? In May, the two bank holidays take place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but some bank holidays are different in each country. If you've wondered what the history behind the two bank holidays is, look no further. May Day, also known as early May bank holiday, takes place on Monday, May 6 this year while the spring bank holiday will be on Monday, May 26. The BBC explains: 'The most famous example is the first May bank holiday, commonly known as May Day. 'It's the one traditionally associated with people dancing with ribbons around a Maypole on a village green and crowning a young girl as a May Queen. 'May Day normally takes place on the first Monday in May.' Professor Julie-Marie Strange, a historian at Durham University, told the BBC: 'May Day in Britain springs from much older seasonal customs associated with the agricultural economy.' May has always been a busy month for farmers and the May Day bank holiday was a chance for them to relax before the busy times ahead. While the first Monday of May is May Day, the final Monday in May is the spring bank holiday. The Economic Times said: 'Initially, the spring bank holiday began as the Monday after Pentecost. It is also known as Whitsun or Whit Monday in the United Kingdom. 'It is the enactment of 'The Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971' that shifted this holiday to the last Monday of May. This was done after a trial period of this arrangement from 1965-1970.' It added: 'Whit Monday falls the day after Pentecost Sunday, a significant event in the Christian calendar. 'Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and is determined by the lunar calendar. 'It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles following the death of Jesus, which led to the first sermon and marked the birth of the Christian Church. Recommended reading: 'This day is celebrated by Christians of Catholic, Protestant, and Lutheran faiths with special church services.' Whit Monday is celebrated 'in many historically Christian countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.' What bank holidays are there left in 2025? This year, we still have a few bank holidays left, including early May (May 5), spring (May 26), summer (August 25), Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26).
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Oregon student workers strike, disrupt campus events
The University of Oregon Student Workers union's fourth day of striking coincided with May Day, the international day recognizing labor movements and workers' rights. On April 28, UOSW, which represents close to 4,000 student workers, launched the university's first strike in 11 years. After voting to unionize in late 2023, the union began bargaining its first contract in May of 2024. While negotiations continue, the strike has not let up. Mediations were held on April 30 and May 1. "For the vast majority, it's our first time in a union, first time on strike, first time doing real-life labor organizing work," said Robin Bailey, media liaison for UOSW and journalism major at UO. "May Day is a great way to show people you're not alone, you're not the first what we're doing here is historic." UOSW picketers rallied on Agate Street in front of Unthank Hall. Cars honked as they passed by. The students then march through Unthank Hall, where the dormitory's dining hall is located. The workers swarmed around the tables, chanting "Get up, get down, Eugene is a union town." The students then made their way to the Ford Alumni Center, where they disrupted a scheduled presentation called "Conversation on Democracy's Future." "We have to make UO care," Bailey said. "We have to cause such a disruption that they cannot continue to ignore us, that they cannot continue to insist that we concede, because we've already conceded by working for so long under what UO has forced us to work under." According to UO's human resources page, the two parties moved slightly closer to the center on pay during mediations on April 30. UO raised its starting minimum from $15.44 to $15.58, and UOSW lowered its from $18.50 to $17.50. On the evening of May 1, more rallies ensued. At 5:30 p.m., a rally and march organized by the UO Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation was held at the Park Blocks in Downtown Eugene. Participating unions ranged from educators to healthcare workers, including the Oregon School Employees Association, the Oregon Nurses Association and the Bigfoot Teamsters. Other groups present were CAHOOTS/HOOTS Teamsters, the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Eugene Food Not Bombs. The May Day celebration will continue into the weekend with Eugene May Day 2025 being held downtown at the Park Blocks from noon to 5 p.m. on May 4. The May 4 event will feature art, food, workshops, a Maypole, games, and speakers. "To honor the ongoing struggle for workers' rights worldwide, we come together to share fun, education, and opportunities to connect for all of our working-class neighbors in Eugene and surrounding areas," the event website states. Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@ or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: University of Oregon student workers strike on May Day
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Garish' Ossett mural plans withdrawn after 163 complaints
Plans for a new mural in a town centre have been withdrawn after more than 150 people objected to the Council said it planned to carry out more public engagement before submitting fresh proposals for a public artwork in of the mural by artist Shiraaz Ali were put out for consultation in featured symbols of the town's historic links to the textile industry and images of the Gawthorpe World Coal Carrying Championship, Maypole celebrations and Beercart procession. 'Eyesore' A planning application for the installation received 163 objections, with just six comments in Russell, the council's service director for arts, said a new design would be developed alongside the community and artist, with a fresh application expected to be submitted this said: "We'll be meeting with local heritage groups to discuss ideas for the new design. This will then go on public display so that the local community can share their thoughts." A design statement said Mr Ali had consulted more than 350 local people before producing the work, including schools and community said: "This design aims to create a welcoming mural for Ossett which engages people of all ages and backgrounds."The design uses the patterns found within the town hall and to create iconic diamonds which highlight each aspect of Ossett in a joyful way."One objector said the design was "garish, lacks elegance and would very quickly become an eyesore"."My main objection is that this style of mural is not in keeping with the buildings around it especially the recently renovated Town Hall," they stated: "Asking a group of kids their opinion is not taking into account the views of the townsfolk who actually know its heritage."Please don't make us a laughing stock by proceeding with this - it needs careful thought and consultation before proceeding." The "coal race" has seen competitors haul sacks of coal through the streets in the neighbouring village of Gawthorpe every Easter Monday since Maypole celebrations date back to 1875, with colourful floats and fancy dress fundraisers joining a parade through Gawthorpe and Beercart is a weekend of Morris dancing, family fun and beer town's historic links to the heavy woollen industry and the production of mungo and shoddy were also strongly featured in the Ali said the mural was a "contemporary interpretation" of Ossett's crest, which depicts the town's main industries, according to the Local Democracy Reporting artist said he also took inspiration from the town's Latin motto 'Inutile Utile Ex Arte', which translates to "useless things made useful through skill".The statement added: "The design intends to evoke joy to the locals and tourists alike through the use of colour choices and elements but also aims to remind the youth of the town's motto and encourages them to hone their skills and become a master of what they do." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Youngstown celebrates 5th annual May Day Festival
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — This weekend, the City of Youngstown celebrated its fifth annual May Day Festival to welcome spring. Groups and community leaders gathered at the Calvin Center for the Arts on Mahoning Avenue. The festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates human rights, protecting the environment, organized labor and various religions. May Day is an international celebration of labor and is sometimes called Beltane, a Celtic spring holiday. People enjoyed a Maypole dance in honor of Beltane. This year's theme was 'Let This Radicalize You,' focusing on fairness, civil rights, the environment, education and the law. 'In Youngstown, we've always known hard times. This is a way to come together and celebrate the good times, as well as how to create that future we desire and want. I think that's the important part,' said Erin Timms, owner of Calvin Center for the Arts. Yesterday, a memorial ceremony was held to honor workers who died or got sick at work. Organizers are planning to host sixth May Day next year. Tino DiCenso contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
