All Articles
The Mayan Apocalypse that never was
The Mayan Apocalypse “predicted” for 21st December 2012 clearly never happened. However people everywhere were in a frenzy over a claims that the world would end on Friday 21st December 2012. But who were the Mayans and where did this apocalyptic vision come from? and more importantly how did the hype get so big ?
In Politics Why Does Left Mean Liberal and Right Mean Conservative ?
We use the terms ‘Left wing’ and ‘Right wing’ in politics without really thinking about it. It’s a pretty odd thing to say. So how did these expressions come about ?
Guernsey Biscuits
A Guernsey Biscuit isn’t a biscuit at all … but a savory roll with a firm crust and fluffy soft centre.
Origin of the Months and Days of the Year
We use them everyday to order our lives to record, analyse and make sense of things. We’re talking about the days and months of the year. What are their origins ? You may be surprised in that they all have origins deep within our pagan past.
We are Stardust …
We are Stardust … the chemical elements that make up our bodies, originated, with one exception, in the turbulent body of a star
Was Jesus really born on the 25th December?
Was Jesus born on December 25? There is no real evidence for this date. So then we must ask is, who and when was it decided that Jesus’ birth would be celebrated on this date? Secondly when was it really ?
The Magi – a new revelation ?
An ancient document found in the Vatican archives has cast new light on the story of the Nativity and the Three Wise Men. The document called “The Revelation of the Magi” is an 8th century copy of an earlier one dated to the 2nd or 3rd century AD
Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas is probably the time of year when, certainly in the West, there is an overwhelming plethora of traditions and practices that each culture likes to embrace. Many are similar but there is also a huge range of completely different ones.
Santa’s Reindeer
It may surprise you to know that Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is not all that he seems. Here we discuss the origins of the most mercurial of all Santa’s reindeer.
Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?
The innocuous mistletoe plant, now used to cop a cheap kiss or two, was once considered to be a sacred plant by the ancient Druids. But how did this Christmas tradition come about ?
The Internet – Who ‘invented’ it ?
If you type origin of internet’ into Google, the results will give you some idea of how complex the story of its evolution is! However, it is possible to offer a potted history of it.
Coffee – buzzy, frothy goodness
According to tradition, around AD 1000, an Ethiopian goatsman named Kaldi observed his herd becoming much more energetic after munching on the bright red berries of a certain bush – the coffee plant. He tried them himself and was the first person to get the energy buzz we’re all familiar with.
Sark Legends – The Pirates of Sark
A local Sark legend about how the island was taken over by pirates and how they were eventually driven off by cunning and guile.
True or False, Fact or Fiction
A lot of what we ‘know’ to be true can sometimes turn out to be no more than an ‘urban legend’. IS : Chewing gum is a controlled substance in Singapore? or DOES An apple contains enough cyanide to kill a man ? : Can you tell whether they’re fact or fiction ?
The Origin of the Saxophone
The saxophone is a truly versatile instrument. Used in Rock, Jazz, Blues & Classical music. Sexy, funky & cool … but when and how was it invented?
