The old lore about rain on St Swithin’s day is well etched in the modern consciousness. Is there a clue to future weather embedded in the actuality of July 15th? Switihn was the Bishop of Winchester in the ninth century. The legend surrounding his name refers to July 15th, 971, when the decision was taken to move his remains from the churchyard (where he had asked to be buried) to inside the old church. Even though it was intended as a mark of respect, he posthumously kicked up a storm and - among other strange things - it lashed it down for 40 days straight. The continuing notion of rain on St Swithin’s day being a marker for the weather ahead shows that for many hundreds of years people have looked at the July rain pelting down and wondered who on earth they need to pray to in order to save the summer!
