Who was St Swithin and when is St Swithin's day? Do we associate anything in particular with this day (as, for instance, we associate love with St Valentine's Day)?

Dan Woolley, Leeds Yorkshire UK

• St Swithin was the Bishop of Winchester and died in 862. He is commemorated on July 15 when, supposedly, if it rains it will continue to do so for forty days.

  Jonathan, Lancaster UK

• St Swithin was bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. He requested that he be buried outside the cathedral, exposed to the footsteps of the people of the town, and to the rain. When his body was moved inside in the following century, a great storm was thought to be caused by his anger at this contravention of his wishes. So the tradition is that if it rains on St Swithin's Day (July 15th), it will rain for the next 40 days in succession, and a fine 15th July will be followed by 40 days of fine weather. Encyclopaedia Britannica at www.britannica.com also adds that as weather frequently changes around midsummer, the tradition that this day influences the weather may stem from ancient pagan belief. On the European continent similar beliefs are attached to other saints (e.g., St. Médard, June 8, France).

  Tessa, Wimbledon UK

• St. Swithins day falls on the 15th July, and it is reputed to be on this day that the great flood started (Noah etc), hence the belief that if it rains on this day it'll continue for fourty days and nights...

  Warthog, Nicosia Cyprus