MARCH! Spring is coming!

The word 'March' comes from the Roman 'Martius'. This was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after Mars, the god of war.

The Anglo-Saxons called the month Hlyd monath which means stormy month, or Hraed monath which means rugged month.

Traditional games played in March: marbles and skipping
The game of marbles has been played for hundreds of years and some historians say that it might have been started by rolling eggs. In the past, round stones, hazelnuts, round balls of baked clay and even cherry stones have been used.i
One of the flowers most associated with March is the narcissus (Wild daffodil). Named after the boy in Greek mythology, who was changed into a flower. Narcissus is also known as Lent Lily because it blooms in early spring and the blooms usually dropping before Easter.

The daffodil became a popular Welsh symbol in the 19th Century.

In England the daffodil inspired amongst others William Wordsworth (English poet) to write his famous poem "Daffodils."

............................................I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
......................................................That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
.......................................................When all at once I saw a crowd,
.......................................................A host, of golden daffodils;
.......................................................Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
.......................................................Fluttering and dancing in the breeze...

..........................................................And then my heart with pleasure fills,
.....................................................And dances with the daffodils.

....................................................................By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings:

'When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.'

.........................................................'A dry March and a wet May
........................................................Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.'

.......................................'As it rains in March so it rains in June.'

'March winds and April showers
Bring forth May flowers.'