Solstice

Here, in Ilkeston, at 11:03 this evening, the winter solstice will occur.  These days, the solstice passes us by almost unnoticed, but this was not always the case.  For millennia, the shortest day has been celebrated with feasting and partying as a way of marking the point when the days begin to lengthen and we look forward to the onset of spring. Most famously of course, the celebration of Christmas was 'superimposed' upon the winter festival in an effort to offset the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia  and Natalis Invicti (two ancient Roman, winter celebrations).

The pop group Jethro Tull, had a Christmas hit with Ring out Solstice Bells in 1977 (was it really that long ago?).

Happy Solstice to one and all..!