The 2nd February is the Winter Peak also called 'Imbolic'. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the Winter solstice (shortest day) and the Spring equinox, in the northern hemisphere.

In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February.

The 2nd February is known as Candlemas Day for Christians.

How did this 2nd February come to be called Candlemas?

It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them - so it was the Festival Day (or 'mass') of the Candles.

Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights. Some people thought candles gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important.

Follow this link to read more about Candlemas and why it is an important day for Christians

Also on this day....

World Wetlands Day

Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. It aims to raise awareness of the value of wetlands around the world and the unique and important place they have.

What are Wetlands?

The clue to what they are is in the word 'wet-land' - lands that are wet.

Wetlands are areas of land where water covers the soil either permanently or seasonally.

They include:

• bogs, fens, and peatlands.
• swamps, marshes
• streams, rivers
• ponds, lakes, lagoons
• saltmarshes, mudflats
• mangroves, coral reefs

Why should we protect them?

Wetlands serve an important role in nature. They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

Wetlands serve an important role in the flood defences of an area. They protect our shores from wave action and reduce the impacts of floods

Wetlands are under threat from climate change. They are being flooded or are drying up and disappearing.