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States of the Union
Countries joining the European Union had to agree to respect the freedom and identity of its citizens, achieved through a common economic and social development. Today there are 27 member states, working together for the benefit of the EU’s population of 501.26 million.
At the Milan Summit of 1985, EU leaders decided to celebrate 9th May as Europe Day, although some countries still observe the alternative date of 5th May due to the humanitarian role of the European Council in defending human rights and parliamentary democracy.
Europe Day has adopted several symbols and motifs, with activities revolving around the Flag of Europe: a circle of twelve golden stars on a blue background that was first used by the Council of Europe in 1955.
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The Ribbons of International Firefighters’ Day
A defining symbol was found in red and blue ribbons, 5cm long and 1cm wide, which when joined at the top, represented the two elements of fire and water. Red and blue are also the colours internationally recognised to represent an emergency service.
On May 4th each year, people show support and recognition of Firefighters by wearing the blue and red ribbons on their lapels, pinning them to car aerials, hanging them in windows or using them to decorate trees. After its inauguration in 2002, a “Sound Off” became traditional when fire stations across the world set off their sirens at noon local time for a 30 second tribute, followed by a minute’s silence in memory and respect for all Firefighters killed in the line of duty.
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 The Cheshire County Show is set to take place on the 22nd and 23rd June 2010.
Read more about last year’s Cheshire Show and find out what to expect whilst we wait for further information here
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 Come along to see the spectacle of this year’s Chester Midsummer Watch Parade, which will take place along the streets of Chester city centre, on 19th and 20th June 2010.
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 World Health Day – 7th April 2010
Did you know that in 2007 more than 50% of the world’s population live in cities?
Or that by 2030 six out of every 10 people will dwell in urban environments?
Urbanization is an inevitable part of the future but with it comes a host of problems related to health, including
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 Saint George’s Day – 23rd April
Saint George, the patron saint of England, is also a romantic figure of medieval romance and legends: a chivalrous knight, a devout martyr and most famously, a heroic slayer of dragons.
Despite his ubiquitous presence in churches, paintings, frescoes and English literature, St. George himself is an unlikely choice for patron saint of England as
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 Earth Day: 22 April 2010
Forty years ago people had a very different attitude towards the earth: the verb “recycle” meant to repeat the same route on a bike; green was a colour, not an issue; environmental was a description that related more to geography than health, and the greenhouse effect was a means of using a glass house to cultivate non-hardy plants.
In 1970 huge, gas guzzling cars were preferred as a status symbol, nuclear energy was shrouded in mystery, the Apollo space mission was still being launched to the moon and the US was preoccupied with the conflict in Vietnam. In comparison, many politicians regarded environmental issues as a less pressing concern.
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 Easter Traditions and History
The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians celebrated the egg as a symbol of the universe.
In Pagan times it represented the rebirth of the earth and was believed to have special powers, buried under foundations of buildings to ward off evil and used by Roman women to foretell the sex of their unborn child.
In Anglo Saxon legend, the goddess Eostre was said to have changed a wounded bird into a hare so it could survive the winter;
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 Palm Sunday Around the World
In Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, the palm crosses distributed are often kept in people’s houses for the year as a symbol of their faith. Although palms are now imported from Spain – which has the largest palm grove in Europe – the scarcity of the plant in the past meant that sometimes pussy willow, yew, or other indigenous trees were substituted.
After Palm Sunday, leftover palms are often burned and used for Ash Wednesday, when ashes are mixed with sacred oil and used to anoint the congregation as a sign of repentance.
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