According to tradition, saint’s harvest celebration heralds the coming of cooler weather and a prosperous autumn St Bartholomew’s Day was on 24 August, 40 days after St Swithin’s Day. An old saying has it that “St Bartlemy’s mantle wipes dry / All the tears that St Swithin can cry”, at the end of a wet spell. Bartholomew was a disciple, notable for being skinned during his martyrdom. His day heralded the coming of cooler weather: “At St Bartholomew / There comes cold dew.” Continue reading...

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