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Here is an educational campaign that is unique in bringing together animal welfare charities, professional bodies, pet business, schools, youth groups and pet lovers. The Campaign is coordinated by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA). The aim this month is to raise awareness of responsible pet ownership...

This month begins with one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events: The Boat Race. First raced in 1829 by crews from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, it is considered the epitome of amateur sport, and each year attracts more than 250,000 spectators to the banks of the Thames, as well as many...

The International Day for Street Children, first launched on 12th April 2011, is a response to the desperate need of hundreds of millions of children world-wide who are forced to live or work on the streets. The UN admits that although there are millions of such children, official figures are virtually non-existent. Tragically, these children...

It was 75 years ago, on 1st April 1947, that the school leaving age in the UK was raised to 15. This had been planned in 1939 but was delayed because of the outbreak of war. The Education Act of 1944 put it on the Statute Book, and it was brought into effect in 1947....

Some 125 years ago, on 3rd April 1897, Johannes Brahms, the German composer, piano virtuoso and conductor, died – of either pancreatic or liver cancer. He had been something of a child prodigy: his father was poor and worked as a jobbing musician, mainly on double bass and French horn, but later his prospects improved. It...

Samuel Morse died 150 years ago, on 2nd April 1872. The American artist and inventor is best known for developing a commercial single-wire telegraph system – and the Morse Code, with his friend Alfred Vail. He was born in 1791 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the son of Calvinist preacher and geographer Jedidiah Morse. He found a...

All in the month of March The moral turmoil of our times Remembering Aretha Franklin Bob Dylan – 60 years on since his debut album Wear your daffodil to support Marie Curie and the National Day of Reflection Remembering Mothers ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates in the month (this...

It was: 500 years ago, from 9th to 17th March 1522 that Martin Luther preached his Invocavit Sermons. He urged citizens to adhere to the core Christian values and trust in God, rather than using violence to bring about change. 175 years ago, on 3rd March 1847 that Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-born American engineer, and...

Yes, Britain is in serious political and moral turmoil. So is the USA. Many other countries are heading towards totalitarian rule or are savagely divided along tribal, religious, or racial lines. We shouldn’t concentrate on cataloguing our complaints, though, before counting our blessings, which is a healthier activity for the human soul. Here’s a start. The British National Health...

Eighty years ago, on 25th March 1942, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was born. The American soul/R&B/pop/gospel singer was known for her many hit songs including ‘Respect’ and ‘I Say a Little Prayer’. She died in 2018. Aretha began her career as a young child, singing gospel songs at New Bethel Baptist Church in...

Sixty years ago, on 19th March 1962, the American folk-rock singer Bob Dylan released his debut album, Bob Dylan. It contained only two original songs, the other 11 being mostly folk covers and partial rewrites, but his huge talent was already apparent. He came from northern Minnesota, but no-one could have guessed where he was...

This March the UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie will once again be asking people across the UK to support its Great Daffodil Appeal. Money raised from the flagship fundraising appeal will help the charity’s doctors, nurses and hospice staff continue their vital work providing expert care to people at the end of...