Readers, advertisers, Uncle Tom Cobley et al,

Great news for Dads!

June 21st is not only the Summer Solstice but is also Fathers Day which means all Dads have longer to be pampered this year! Hopefully the weather is just as good as it has been in April and allows children everywhere to treat their Dad to a special meal, day out or maybe even wash his car or mow the lawn. If you can’t decide what to do on the longest day of the year then maybe you will find some inspiration in The Handbook or online in our ‘what’s on’ guide at handbooksonline.co.uk. This growing directory has a host of local ideas for things to do, not only on Fathers Day but all year round.

One thing I am surprised about is that we haven't yet followed in the footsteps of our American cousins and signed up to a Parents Day which they have celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July since 1994. Proclaimed by Bill Clinton in a Congressional Resolution, it was created to provide an opportunity to uplift parenthood and to highlight the important roles parents have in helping children grow up successfully.

Midsummer’s Day falls on June 24th and other special days for June include the Queens official birthday and the Trooping of Colour on the 13th. It’s also seen as the best month of the year to marry as it takes its name from the Roman Goddess of Marriage - Junno. Prince William was also born on the 21st and Garfield, the comic strip cat first appeared on June 19th 1978 and the most important birthday of all is my 40th on June 20th!

I close with an utterly useless piece of information about June. Did you know that no other month of the year begins on the same day of the week as June? This year the 1st is on Monday and have just gone through my calendar and it seems to be true but not sure what happens during a leap year - answers on a postcard please.
  

Have a great month and here’s hoping to a British winner at Wimbledon!

John