There is already a poll for the weather next Tuesday 15 July, St Swithun’s Day. A popular rhyme claims that if it rains on 15 July it will rain for forty days

This is Winchester Cathedral’s patronal festival and those starting out on the Pilgrims’ Way may wish to be aware of the special occasion.

Evensong followed by a procession to the shrine in Winchester Cathedral is next Saturday 12 July at 4.30pm when many Cathedral Friends will be present.

The First Evensong of St Swithun is at 5.30pm on Monday 14 July.

On St Swithun’s Day the Eucharist is at 12 noon and Festal Evensong at 5.30pm.

Evensong is live streamed via the Cathedral website.

*** The 15 July is the Translation of St Swithun recalling his body being moved on this day in 971 from the outside burial ground into the Old Minster (outlined in grass on cathedral’s north side). The body was moved again twice: in 1093, into the new cathedral, and in 1096 within the cathedral -always on 15 July.

***If you are setting out from Southwark Cathedral you will find St Swithun and St Thomas Becket depicted together among the saints on the great screen behind the high altar.