The ladies privilege relates to 29^th February, where tradition states that on this day women can propose marriage to a man.

In the 5^th century St Bridget from Ireland complained to St Patrick about women having to wait for the men to propose. So according to legend St Patrick replied that on the 29^th February women can propose to the man of her choice.

The right for women to propose on this date goes back many hundreds of years to when the leap year day had no recognition in English law so had no legal status. People assumed that tradition would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that the leap year was to fix a problem with the calendar so could be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage.

In 1288 Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of the choice, the law also went on to state that if the man turned down the proposal he could be fined the range of fines are from a kiss to payment of a silk dress or a pair of gloves.

The legend spread around the world and soon there were many leap year balls and leap year dances. Women could ask the men to the dance and then ask him for his hand in marriage.

In today’s society the general rule is that it is the man who does the asking, but it is becoming more common for the women to ask the man; feminism at its most useful.

A postcard which ladies sent on leap year.

To avoid the dreaded hangover it is recommended to line the stomach with milk before you start drinking alcohol.

Some remedies for the hangover are:-

• Stay in bed and sleep so the body can recover,
• drink plenty of water or orange juice, avoid caffeine as this dehydrates the body so will have the opposite affect,
• when you can face it eat a bacon sandwich,

• If all else fails the the oldest remedy is the hair of the dog “what made you ill will make you better”.

Do you have a cure for a hangover? Let us know..

This is a traditional rhyme from Victorian times.

Something Old – a piece of old wedding dress or veil from family member which can be wrapped around the bouquet. This connects the bride with the past and her continued happiness.

Something New – this could be your new dress and shoes

Something Borrowed – this could be a handkerchief or an item of jewellery borrowed from a close friend or member of the family – to get good luck it must be returned.

Something Blue – this is traditionally a garter but you could follow what many wedding designers do and that is to sew a blue ribbon into  your dress..blue traditionally signifies fidelity.

And A Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe – traditionally a sixpence but these days some brides use a penny instead.  This is supposed to signify wealth so that the bride will be never be poor.

A bride is considered to have a long and happy marriage if she carries these four items with her when she gets married.

Married in White – You Have Chosen Right

Married in Blue – Your Love Will Always Be True

Married in Brown – You Will Live in Town

Married in Green – Ashamed To Be Seen

Married in Pearl – You Will Live In A Whirl

Married in Yellow – Ashamed of Your Fellow

Married in Pink – Your Spirit Will Sink

Married in Grey – You Will Go Far Away

Married in Black – You Will Wish Yourself Back

we first seen white on a wedding dress was 1406 with Philippa of England where she wear as tunic and a clock with a white silk scarf  .

In 1559 Mary Queen of Scots wore a white wedding dress.

In 1840 Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in a white wedding dress and she set the trend to marry in white, before then women got married in their best dress and used a white scarf.

 The white gown is  symbolic of pure and innocents, a baby gets christened in a white gown, young girls get confirmed in white dresses, so a Bride gets married in white to show purity and innocents.

  Today’s  wedding dresses very in style and length, some show more flesh than other, but most are white.

Marry in Green – Ashamed to be Seen.