Like most of Europe this week, Riversdown was hit by temperatures reaching 30C.  This was very surprising to some students who, only the week before, were wearing all the contents of their suitcases to keep warm in 12C.  They suffered the unpredictability of British weather!

British school children have been on holiday this week and enjoyed sunny, hot weather while they have been free to enjoy it.  On Monday the Spring Bank Holiday was a public holiday (except for Riversdown students!) and replaced the Whitsun holiday, a traditional holiday to remember Pentecost.  This is still celebrated in some towns and villages with Morris dancing.  An English folk dance dating from 1448, Morris dancers wear flowers on their heads and costumes with bell pads on their shins and shoes.   They carry sticks, swords and handkerchiefs as they move in formation.