Alice Meynell

There are many observances in February including Setsubun the Japanese bean throwing ceremony, UNICEF Day for Change, World Cancer Day, National Libraries Day, World Orphan Week, Safer Internet Day, International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers, Valentines Day, National Nestbox Week, World Community Arts Day, Mahashivratri, World Day of Social Justice, Shrove Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday or Pancake Day), Work Your Proper Hours Day, Fairtrade Fortnight and…as it’s a leap year….February 29th!

Keep checking this site (or better still, sign up for email alerts) for full details.

Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free, really easy, and only takes an hour. You can do your birdwatch wherever you like – at home, in your local park, or do it as part of a group at an RSPB event near you.

When, what, where

All you need is a pen, some scrap paper (or, a printout of this handy Big Garden Birdwatch 2012 counting sheet), and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden, or local park, on either Saturday 28, or Sunday 29 January 2012.

Simply make a note of the highest number of each bird species seen on the ground (not flying over) at any one time, and return to the Big Garden Birdwatch page to submit your info.

Check out this video for some of the more unusual places that people did their 2011 birdwatch:

Where do you do Big Garden Birdwatch? from The RSPB on Vimeo.

How this information helps

For over 30 years, the RSPB have been asking the public to count the birds in their garden and each year more people get involved.

With results from so many gardens, the RSPB are able to create a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers in each region – and they can see that some of our birds are disappearing in scary numbers.

We’ve lost more than half our house sparrows and some three-quarters of our starlings.

These surveys not only help highlight problems but are the first step in putting things right.

Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, music and art.One of the most notable features of this Indian festival is the abundance of the colour yellow, which represents the brilliance of nature and the vibrancy of life.

During the festival, devotees wear bright yellow clothing, eat yellow (coloured by saffron) food, and worship statues of Saraswati in their home and in the mandir.

All Hindu educational establishments conduct special prayers and students place their pencils at the feet of the goddess to be blessed. It is during this festival that devotees are taught to write their first words.

It isn’t all about learning – it is also a day for art and painting competitions, poetry recitations, music festivals – and kite flying.

In 2012, Vasant Panchami takes place on 28 January.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR, is hosting a Burns Family Festival Day on Saturday 28 January.

It promises to be a fun-packed day for all the family! Interactive stories, music, song and laughter all inspired by Robert Burns. To book call 0131 556 9579

10.30am (1hr) | £5/£3 | 5+
Burns in the City!
Storytelling
Kicking off our Burns Family Day with a bang, join storyteller Tim Porteus and friends for a fun-filled morning of getting to know Rabbie as he travels into Edinburgh for the first time. Plenty of stories, songs, poems and laughter for all the family.

12pm (1hr) | Free | All Ages
Burns Songs & Music
Music
A celebration of all things Burns with live music and song in the Storytelling Court. Grab some lunch or tea and cake in the Storytelling Café and listen to the sounds of Burns, or just drop-in to the Court and enjoy!

2pm (1hr) | £5/£3 | 8+
Rabbie as a Laddie
Storytelling & Puppetry
What made Rabbie the way he was? Was Rabbie an awfu’ laddie? Where did his wonderful words come from? Join storyteller and puppeteer Sylvia Troon for an interactive session of stories and fun.

3pm (90mins) | £6/£4 | 12+
Simply Burns
Music and Spoken Word
Experience the romance and humour of Scotland’s most famous poet in this enchanting programme of song, story and verse. Combining atmospheric readings of some of his best loved poems and personal thoughts with songs inspired by his verse, Simply Burns is an event that celebrates the very best of The Bard. This captivating revue is a hit with devotees of Burns as well as with those who find it all a bit daunting. It’s witty, entertaining, and engaging… who knew Burns could be so much fun?

(from http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy_intol.aspx)

Gluten Free Bread recipe

• Mix together 500g Gluten Free White Bread Flour, 1tsp Salt, 7g dry yeast & 2tbsp caster sugar
• Add 350ml milk, 75g melted butter, 2 eggs (beaten) and 1tsp vinegar
• Place mixture in oiled 2lb loaf tin, cover with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes until the mixture has risen about 3cm.
• Bake for 45 minutes at 200 (180 fan/Gas Mark 6).

When ready, the loaf should sound hollow.

National Handwriting Day was founded in the USA by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) so that we could continue to recognise the reward of composing a handwritten note using a high quality writing instrument.

The date chosen was 23 January, the birthday of John Hancock, the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence with a flourish!

In the UK the National Handwriting Association aims to:

• raise awareness of handwriting as a crucial component of literacy
• promote and foster good practice in the teaching of handwriting
• provide support for those working with children and adults who have handwriting difficulties

Together with John Catt Educational Ltd, the NHA is hosting the SATIPS National Schools’ Handwriting Competition 2012 (Monday 21st November 2011 to Wednesday 16th May 2012). To find out more visit www.handwritingcompetition.co.uk

The Year of the Dragon begins on 23 January 2012, and will be marked in Scotland as well as in Chinese communities worldwide.

What is Chinese New Year ?

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China it is also known as “Spring Festival”. The festival begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar, and ends with Lantern Festival on the 15th day. The date varies from year to year with the lunar calendar, but is generally between mid January and mid February. In agricultural life, it represents the start of new life and the season of ploughing and sowing.

Chinese New Year is celebrated right across the People’s Republic of China, and in other countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and in Chinatowns worldwide.

According to folk legend, the Chinese New Year traditions started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to eat livestock, crops, and even villagers. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food, it wouldn’t attack any more people.

On one occasion, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. So, every year, the villagers hung red lanterns and red scrolls on windows and doors, and used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. Many of the modern traditions are based on this story.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated ?

Within China, regional customs and traditions vary widely. People exchange gifts, clean and decorate their house and buy new clothes. Families mark the coming of the New Year with fireworks to frighten away “evil spirits” – Chinese cities are very noisy places around midnight, and for hours afterwards! Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes.

What is the significance of the animals ?

The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of its twelve years after an animal. One legend says Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell, and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived.

The animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, which rotate in a 12 year cycle in that order. The current year, ending on 22 January 2012, is the Year of the Rabbit. The Year of the Dragon runs from 23 January 2012 to 9 February 2013.

The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying, “this is the animal that hides in your heart”.

Edinburgh Celebrations

On the weekend of Saturday 21 and 22 January, Edinburgh Zoo invites families to join them as they celebrate their Giant Pandas and all the Chinese animals at Edinburgh Zoo. Enjoy activities for children and adults. Learn Mandarin and discover all about Chinese Culture, take a calligraphy workshop and listen to Chinese music and entertainment. Even make your own dragon! There will also be competitions, quizzes and lots more. Admission charges apply. Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS

For 12+, Take One Action Film Festivals is presenting ‘China On The Move: Marking Chinese New Year on Film‘ to mark Chinese New Year, with four award-winning films offering different perspectives on the complex transformations taking place in contemporary Chinese cinema, society and industry, and how they relate to the wider world. All screenings are at the Edinburgh Filmhouse, and will be followed by expert and audience discussion:

Wed 25 Jan only

Mr Tree
(Hello! Shu Xian Sheng)

Director

Han Jie

China 2011

88 minutes

Rated 12A

Cast: Wang Baoqiang , Tan Zhuo.

Mandarin with English subtitles

Thu 26 Jan only

Last Train Home

Director

Lixin Fan

Country of origin and year

Canada/China/UK 2009

85 minutes

Rated 12A

Documentary.

Mandarin with English subtitles

Sat 28 Jan only

Apart Together
(Tuan yuan)

Director

Wang Quan’an

China 2010

97 minutes

Rated 12A

Cast: Lisa Lu, Ling Feng, Xu Cai-gen, Monica Mok, Baiyang.

Mandarin with English subtitles

Sun 29 Jan only
Manufactured Landscapes
Director
Jennifer Baichwal
Country of origin and year
Canada 2006
90 minutes
Rated 12A
Documentary.

English, Cantonese and Mandarin with English subtitles

Gong Hey Fat Choy!

(Wishing you prosperity in the coming year)

(Information from Scotland China Association)

Farmhouse Breakfast Week (22nd – 28th January 2012) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and demonstrate the variety of breakfast foods available in the UK.

The theme for the campaign is “Shake Up Your Wake Up” – make small changes to your morning routine to make sure you have time for breakfast every day!

Why eat breakfast…

• Breakfast eaters tend to be slimmer than breakfast skippers.
• Eating breakfast can aid concentration and mental performance at work and at school.
• It provides you with the nutrients and energy needed for an active lifestyle.
• Research shows that breakfast eaters are less depressed and have lower levels of stress than breakfast skippers.

Some breakfast recipes…

• 
  Tasty Toast Topper
• 
  Mixed Spice Muesli & toppings
• 
  Oaty Cranberry Smoothie
• 
  Breakfast Hash with Bacon and Poached Eggs
• 
  Honey & Yogurt Porridge with Banana
• 
  Breakfast Energy Bars
• 
  Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Egg Breakfast Tortilla
• 
  View All Breakfast Recipes

There have been more than 1,000 visits to this blog and most visitors came from the United Kingdom .  Top UK visitors were from Edinburgh (Edinburgers?), Glasgow (easy, Glaswegians), London (Londoners), Leicester (Erm, Leicestrians?), Fife (Fifers) and…East Lothian.

What do you call a person from East Lothian?

An East Lothiat?  An East Lothianer? An East Lothianite? Extremely Lucky?

Our overseas visitors, show in order were from: United States, India, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Israel, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, Russian Federation, South Africa, Denmark, Mexico, Ireland, Singapore, Philippines, Macedonia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Turkey, Greece, Japan, Spain, Oman, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Norway,  Finland,  Sweden,  Czech Republic,  Switzerland, Jersey,  Ukraine,  Kuwait,  Ecuador,  Kenya,  Nigeria,  Zimbabwe, Brazil, New Zealand, Chile, Guyana, Jamaica, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Korea, Portugal, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Macau and Montenegro.

P.S.  If you have ever wanted to know the name for a resident of a particular place (‘demonym’) take a look at the book Labels for Locals by Paul Dickson or geography-site.co.uk.

Work Your Proper Hours Day (24 Feb 2012) is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. We think that’s a day worth celebrating.

Over five million people at work in the UK regularly do unpaid overtime, giving their employers £29.2 billion of free work last year alone. If you’re one, why not take some time to reflect on how well (or badly) you’re balancing your life? This is one day in the year to make the most of your own time. Take a proper lunchbreak and leave work on time to enjoy your Friday evening – You deserve it!

Long hours are not good for us; they cause stress; they’re bad for our health; they wreck relationships; they make caring for children or dependents more difficult; and tired, burnt-out staff are bad for business.

People do long hours for a variety of very different reasons, and work life balance expert Professor Cary Cooper has helped us put together a long hours clinic tool, to give you tailored advice to fit your own situation.

You can also use our online balance check to diagnose what your workplace’s working style is, and then add yourself to our big interactive map to see how you stack up against everyone else. Or just check the map, to see what others have said.

Work Your Proper Hours Day for 2012 will be 24 February, but your own pay day may come earlier or later, depending on the hours you work above your contracted hours. Use our online unpaid overtime calculator to find out when you can celebrate paying off your long hours debt.

(via WorkSmart.org)

It is estimated that there are more than 132 million children worldwide who have been orphaned by disaster, disease or poverty, or abandoned on the streets by their parents.

The goal of World Orphan Week 2012 (6 – 12 February) is to highlight their plight and help give more children a mother, a home, and a family for life.

By taking part in World Orphan Week 2012, you can make a real difference to the lives of orphaned and abandoned children.

World Orphan Week 2012 is a time to remember and reach out to all those children throughout the world who do not have a family that nurtures and gives them a sense of belonging. Why not take part as an individual, a school, a community group, or work place?

Email emma@soschildren.org to request a fundraising pack for World Orphan Week 2012.

The Japanese bean throwing festival is celebrated every year on 3rd February and marks the beginning of spring.

Traditionally, people count out the number of beans to correspond with their age, then throw them out their door shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Luck in!”).

鬼は外! 福は内!

The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions.

The following could be described as the ‘Golden Rule’ of the major religions:

	Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.  Buddhism
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the entire law; all the rest is commentary  .Judaism
	Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Christianity
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.  Islam
	Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.  Baha’i Faith  This poster is designed by Jeff Strieff

The Big Lunch is an annual event for neighbours taking place on Sunday 3rd June 2012. To find out how you can get involved visit: www.thebiglunch.com

INVITATION 6th World Community Arts Day

World Community Arts Day 17/02/12
” ART AS A CATALYST FOR CARING AND SHARING”

To create a World Festival Society for a day.
” We can either react in fear or anger to the state of our world thus becoming part of the problem or respond creatively and become part of the solution.”

You are invited to be part of a global celebration on 17/02/12.

All we ask of you on that day is to do an arts project, however small or big. Be creative about an issue that you believe promotes “caring and sharing”. Song, dance, theatre, draw, paint, write, make, poem, photogragh, lecture, walk, tour, talk, art class anyway that you feel you are creative!

The first years have seen WCAD grow from a celebration of Reg Bolton to a global event from as far as Brazil, Slovenia, Scotland, Australia, USA, Ireland, Mexico and many more. All we ask of you on that day is to do an arts project, however small or large to mark this day. If you can mark the event on your website in the build up to it that would be great to. It is going to be our biggest yet.

Or join one of the social networking groups on Myspace, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
PLEASE GO TO WEBPAGE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS YEARS

http://worldcommunityartsday.com/

PLEASE PASS ON.

(from http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy_intol.aspx)

Gluten Free Bread recipe

• Mix together 500g Gluten Free White Bread Flour, 1tsp Salt, 7g dry yeast & 2tbsp caster sugar
• Add 350ml milk, 75g melted butter, 2 eggs (beaten) and 1tsp vinegar
• Place mixture in oiled 2lb loaf tin, cover with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes until the mixture has risen about 3cm.
• Bake for 45 minutes at 200 (180 fan/Gas Mark 6).

When ready, the loaf should sound hollow.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of India with different names and different rituals.

The festival marks the commencement of Sun’s journey to the northern hemisphere, thereby making the days warmer and longer than the nights – i.e. it marks the end of winter season and beginning of harvest or spring season.

It is one of the few Hindu festivals which is celebrated on a fixed date each year – 14 January.

Some common rituals include spring cleaning, wearing new clothes and exchanging gifts.

In Gujarat and Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is a festival of the young and the old. Colourful kites are flown all around.

In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is called Lohri. December and January are the coldest months of the year in Punjab and huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankranti. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown on the bonfires and friends and relatives gather together.

In Uttar Pradesh, this period is celebrated as Kicheri. It is considered important to have a bath on this day and masses of people can be seen bathing in the Sangam at Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswathi flow together.

In Southern India it’s the harvest festival Pongal and lasts for 3 days. On the first day, rice boiled with milk is offered to the Rain God. On the second day, it is offered to the the Sun God and on the third day, the family cattle are given a bath and dressed with flowers, bells and colours, to honour them for their hard work in the fields.

Dickens 2012 is an international celebration of the life and work of Charles Dickens to mark the bicentenary of his birth, which falls on 7 February 2012. Institutions and organisations from all over the world are partners of Dickens 2012 and work together to deliver a programme of events and activities to commemorate this very special anniversary.

Although a writer from the Victorian era, Dickens’s work transcends his time, language and culture. He remains a massive contemporary influence throughout the world and his writings continue to inspire film, TV, art, literature, artists and academia. Dickens 2012 sees a rich and diverse programme of events taking place in the run up and throughout the whole of 2012.

Film, TV & Radio

Literature & Education

Farmhouse Breakfast Week (22nd – 28th January 2012) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and demonstrate the variety of breakfast foods available in the UK.

The theme for the campaign is “Shake Up Your Wake Up” – make small changes to your morning routine to make sure you have time for breakfast every day!

Why eat breakfast…

• Breakfast eaters tend to be slimmer than breakfast skippers.
• Eating breakfast can aid concentration and mental performance at work and at school.
• It provides you with the nutrients and energy needed for an active lifestyle.
• Research shows that breakfast eaters are less depressed and have lower levels of stress than breakfast skippers.

Some breakfast recipes…

• 
  Tasty Toast Topper
• 
  Mixed Spice Muesli & toppings
• 
  Oaty Cranberry Smoothie
• 
  Breakfast Hash with Bacon and Poached Eggs
• 
  Honey & Yogurt Porridge with Banana
• 
  Breakfast Energy Bars
• 
  Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Egg Breakfast Tortilla
• 
  

The Festival au désert (Festival in the Desert) is an annual three day concert held on the outskirts of Timbuktu, Mali, west Africa. It is the most remote festival in the world and in 2012 takes place from January 12-14.

It has its origins in the annual meetings held by the nomadic Touaregs (often referred to as ‘the blue people’ because of the stains their indigo-dyed robes leave on their skin) to reconnect with each other after the nomadic season, have fun, resolve conflicts, and to exchange ideas.

The modern day festival is a mix of traditional north African desert music, international musicians, camel racing, dance and sword play.

The Festival is also a way to celebrate “La Flamme de la Paix” (The Flame of Peace), a name that was given to the ceremony where more than 3000 firearms were melted and used to create a monument in 1996 in Timbuktu.

The Festival au désert (Festival in the Desert) is an annual three day concert held on the outskirts of Timbuktu, Mali, west Africa. It is the most remote festival in the world and in 2012 takes place from January 12-14.

It has its origins in the annual meetings held by the nomadic Touaregs (often referred to as ‘the blue people’ because of the stains their indigo-dyed robes leave on their skin) to reconnect with each other after the nomadic season, have fun, resolve conflicts, and to exchange ideas.

The modern day festival is a mix of traditional north African desert music, international musicians, camel racing, dance and sword play.

The Festival is also a way to celebrate “La Flamme de la Paix” (The Flame of Peace), a name that was given to the ceremony where more than 3000 firearms were melted and used to create a monument in 1996 in Timbuktu.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/National-gardening-week

Join the Celebrations!

Tartan Day marks the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 at Arbroath Abbey. This historical occasion sowed the seeds of modern day democracy and was used as a basis for the American Declaration of Independence. Tartan Day was inspired by this historical occasion to celebrate all that is good about Scotland – its people, its heritage, its history, its culture and its amazing legacy to the world.

At the beginning of April each year, a week-long programme of very special events commemorates all that is best about Scotland and the Scots, home and away.

	Tartan Day 2012 Events Guide The 2012 Tartan Day Angus Programme of Events brochure has now been produced and can now be viewed online. The programme has over 50 events across Angus with events to suit the whole family.  Tartan Day Angus Events 2012

Tartan Day 2012 Menus

There are many venues throughout Angus who have created menu’s for the Tartan Day – Week of Celebration starting on 30 March to 8 April 2012.  Each venue producing traditional Scottish dishes made with local Angus produce.

 Tartan Day Menus 2012

Find out more about why we celebrate Tartan Day, spot the famous faces amongst our Tartan Day Ambassadors and keep up-to-date on news stories from around the world.

Have you had your say, declared your allegiance to Tartan Day or given us your suggestions for improvement?
Perhaps you’re interested in attending or running one of the Tartan Day events or even in sponsoring Tartan Day?
Do you need some ideas about how you might go about celebrating Tartan Day?

If yes, then Get Involved! 

http://www.tartandayscotland.com/home/home.asp

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the monkey-faced god who is worshipped by Hindus throughout India.

Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains and dart through the air.

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity.

About Autism

Autism affects both children and adults alike. Current research suggests that over 1 in 100 people may be on the autism spectrum, including Aspergers syndrome.

Information on Autism

The following pages explain what autism and Aspergers syndrome is and how the lives of people with the condition and those around them are affected.  Providing useful information, guidance and an overview of the services Autism Initiatives provides throughout the UK.

Further information

What is Autism

What is Asperger syndrome

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Number 6 is a ‘One Stop Shop’ for adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism in Lothians.  This unique service offers a range of information, advice and social activities to enable adults to live as independently and successfully as possible.

www.number6.org.uk

Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.

Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading. Many IBBY Sections promote ICBD through the media and organize activities in schools and public libraries. Often ICBD is linked to celebrations around children’s books and other special events that may include encounters with authors and illustrators, writing competitions or announcements of book awards.

WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple idea that’s quickly turned into a global phenomenon. Hundreds of millions of people turning off their lights for one hour, on the same night, all across the planet. It’s about appreciating the brilliant world we all share – and how we need to protect it. Not just for an hour a year, but every day.

Earth Hour – Our World Is Brilliant from WWF-UK on Vimeo.

8.30pm 31 March

Get Involved

Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. It’s back from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March.

Everyone can take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile at events across the UK plus there’ll be incredible celebrity challenges, tons of top TV to enjoy and more.

How does it help?

The money you raise is spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. It goes a long way too. From transforming the lives of people in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, or those living with poor mental or physical health, to protecting street children and providing life-saving healthcare abroad.

How can I join in?

The best way to take part in the UK’s biggest year of sport is to enter the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. With hundreds taking place across the UK, there’s bound to be one near you. Alternatively, you could do your own fundraising at work, in school, with family and friends or on your own.

http://www.sportrelief.com/

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

The theme for 2012 is Water and Food Security.

Download and print out these materials for your World Water Day event or classroom and learn more about this years topic of ‘Water and Food Security’!

Water for Food Wallchart – 3 x A3 >>

How much water Download Game >>

Download Poster
216 x 85 cm >>

Download Lists 2 x A4 >>

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws”. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).

Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.

The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of our collective responsibility for promoting and protecting this ideal.

The East Lothian Diversity Network brings together individuals, community organisations and groups that are interested in equality and diversity issues. Everyone is welcome to join and take part in our events!

Key focuses of the Diversity Network

• Celebration: celebrating East Lothian’s rich diversity
• Policy: helping to shape our services and practices
• Information: gathering information about the needs and ambitions of minority groups
• Campaigns: improving the understanding of equality and diversity amongst the residents of East Lothian

Become a member

You can become a member of the Network. Here are some of the benefits of signing up:

• you get to take part in a variety of events to celebrate East Lothian’s diversity
• you will learn more about equality and diversity
• you can raise issues that are of concern to you
• you can help to shape public services by sharing your experiences with policymakers

Best of all, it’s free to join! 

Email equalities@eastlothian.gov.uk to register.

The 2012 theme will be…

We work with National Poetry Day UK, and as soon as the theme is agreed we’ll put it up right here!

National Poetry Day across Scotland and the UK

For details of National Poetry Day events around Scotland, browse our Events Calendar.

For poetry events outside Scotland, visit the National Poetry Day website.

If you’re planning your own National Poetry Day event in Scotland please let us know! Email reception@spl.org.uk

For teachers

Visit our For teachers pages to read poems, find posters, see ideas about how to use poetry in the classroom, and tips for using National Poetry Day postcards.

For librarians

Check our For librarians pages for event format ideas, easy ways to find all sorts of poems on this year’s theme, and other useful resources to help you plan National Poetry Day with flair and not very much cash.

National Poetry Day postcards

You can collect free poetry postcards from the Scottish Poetry Library.

Or read them in our Poem stacks online.

Contact us at reception@spl.org.uk if you would like to get your hands on some, or send a stamped SAE for a free set.

Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is crucial to sustaining our lives. It produces air for us to breathe, food to eat, water to drink and even medicines to cure our ills. It also provides value to us through activities such as walking or birdwatching and inspiration for art. We need it for our overall health, wealth and wellbeing.

With these thoughts in mind, the theme for Scottish Biodiversity Week (19-27 March 2012) is “Biodiversity is Life – Biodiversity is Our Life” in order to emphasise the critical links between us and our amazing, complex world.

Scotland’s precious wildlife and landscapes are dear to us and Scottish Biodiversity Week is a great opportunity to get out and about and experience them!

East Lothian Council Biodiversity Officer – can give presentations to schools or classes on biodiversity or related topics. The Biodiversity Officer will also help to develop school grounds, particularly through the Grounds for Awareness award. This award is launched annually in September and can offer up to £1000 for a wildlife, gardening or landscaping project within school grounds.  01620 827242

East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service – can visit schools or help with longer term studies such as rivers or rock pooling. They can also work closely with related initiatives such as the John Muir Award and Forest Schools.  ranger@eastlothian.gov.uk.
www.www.edubuzz.org/blogs/rangerservice
East Lothian Outdoor Learning Service – often working closely with the Ranger Service. They can provide environmental education, linking this with adventurous activities such as canoeing, gorge walking or coasteering.  0131 653 5217
www.www.edubuzz.org/outdoorlearning

East Lothian Council have produced a teachers guide about wildlife and the natural world. The 16 page download includes classroom projects,useful websites, pictures and ideas. The Guide suggests good locations close to schools and how to prepare for a visit.  Download your Biodiversity Education Guide here

No Smoking Day takes place on 14 March 2012. On the day more than a million smokers are expected to make a quit attempt.

Over the last quarter of a century we’ve grown into the UK’s leading public health event, helping over a million smokers to quit for good.

With No Smoking Day, there’s no pressure. When smokers are ready to stop, we’re here and ready to help, directing people to the support that’s right for them, when and where they want it.

Take the Leap with No Smoking Day

We know that most smokers would really like to stop, but find it hard to. So this year we are encouraging smokers to Take the Leap and give it a go. The theme recognises that giving up is tough, but the positive image and slogan speaks strongly to smokers helping them to aspire to a smokefree future

‘Take the Leap’ and its energetic accompanying image aim to echo the UK’s focus on the Olympics, asking smokers to think about their physical health. The campaign also coincides with a leap year – leap day will be an excellent opportunity to help smokers prepare to Take the Leap two weeks later on 14 March.

The ‘Take the Leap’ theme was developed with smokers themselves and reflects the positive messaging of the charity, we are here for smokers who want to quit and will help them take a leap towards a healthier, wealthier future.

No Smoking Day is part of the British Heart Foundation and offers year round resources to help people who want to quit. These include WeQuit.co.uk our dedicated quitters’ website, our online community forum which is host to 36,000 quitters and a suite of resources and tips and advice for smokers.

For more information about No Smoking Day visit our about section.

2 Billion People, 54 Countries. One Very Special Celebration. Join us for Commonwealth Day 2012.

Every year on the second Monday in March, 54 countries join together in celebration of the links they share as members of one diverse and dynamic global family – the modern Commonwealth.

In the UK, one way in which this special day is celebrated is with a unique event in London’s Westminster Abbey. The UK’s largest multi-faith celebration, the Commonwealth Day Observance is attended by Her Majesty The Queen, the Prime Minister, High Commissioners, up to 200 other VIPs and more than 1,000 schoolchildren.

The Commonwealth Day Observance takes a different theme each year. And in 2012 we will be ‘Connecting Cultures.’ Through a thrilling mix of world music, dance and personal testimonies, the event will explore the golden threads that tie together people from every continent, faith and ethnicity.

2012 will be a special year for the Observance as it will also be kicking off the Commonwealth’s celebrations for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee – marking both 60 years as the UK Monarch and 60 years as Head of the Commonwealth.

If you’re from a school, have a look at the schools page here for suggestions on how to get involved and incorporate Commonwealth Day in your class room.

Visit www.commonwealththeme.org for more information on Commonwealth Day, and how you can get involved in celebrating the 2012 theme, Connecting Cultures.

Holi is known as the Hindu festival of colours.  It is a joyful celebration filled with fun and good humour.

People celebrate the festival by throwing handfuls of paint and coloured powder at each other – even complete strangers!

EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN –

END HUNGER AND POVERTY.

“Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on 8th March each year. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

Recognizing the critical role and contribution of rural women, the theme of International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.

Key contributors to global economies, rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.

Estimates reveal that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30 percent, lifting 100-150 million out of hunger.

Healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, however, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. Further, the global food and economic crisis and climate change have aggravated the situation. It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls. Yet, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates reveal that productivity gains from ensuring equal access to fertilizers, seeds and tools for women could reduce the number of hungry people by between 100 million and 150 million.

To celebrate National Doodle Day, Usborne Books have a competition to win Doodle Books – see here

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

To mark the day, school children are entitled to receive a World Book Day £1 Book
Token which can be exchanged for one of eight specially published World Book Day £1 Books, or is redeemable against any book or audio book of their choice costing £2.99 or more at a participating bookshop or book club.  The World Book Day £1 Book Token will be valid from 27th February to 25th March 2012.
The full list of World Book Day £1 books for 2012 is:

• The What the Ladybird Heard Song, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks (Macmillan)
•  Winnie Flies Again, Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul (Oxford University Press)
• Where’s Wally Now?, Martin Handford (Walker Books)
• Magic Molly: The Clever Little Kitten, Holly Webb (Scholastic)
• Roald Dahl’s Fantabulous Facts, Roald Dahl (Puffin)
• How to Train Your Dragon: The Day of the Dreader, Cressida Cowell (Hodder Children’s Books)
• Big Day Out, Jacqueline Wilson, Illustrated by Nick Sharratt (Random House)
• Skulduggery Pleasant: The End of the World, Derek Landy (HarperCollins)

The World Book Day site has lots of Cool Stuff & Games featuring some favourite characters and competitions too.

The Daisy ‘Eat your Peas’ Game The Barnaby Grimes Game

Fairtrade Fortnight (27 Feb – 11 March) kicks off the 2012 campaign!

In 2012, the Fairtrade Foundation is asking everyone to take a step for Fairtrade. Hot foot it over to www.fairtrade.org.uk/step for more about the exciting new campaign and get planning your events for Fairtrade Fortnight and beyond…

Fairtrade in East Lothian

East Lothian is a Fairtrade County.

There are two Fairtrade Towns in East Lothian, North Berwick and Prestonpans.  Longniddry achieved Fairtrade Village status a number of years ago.

If you would like to find out where to buy different fairtrade products in East Lothian, take a look at the East Lothian Fairtrade Directory.

To find out more about grant funding for Fairtrade events or activities, please visit our East Lothian Fairtrade Grant Scheme.

Related Links

Fairtrade Foundation – www.fairtrade.org.uk

Scottish Fairtrade Forum – www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk

Traidcraft – www.traidcraft.co.uk

Facebook – www.facebook.com/FairtradeEastLothian

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. more

Mahashivratri (meaning “Great Night of Shiva”) is a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Shiva (who, along with Brahma and Vishnu, forms the trinity of Hinduism).

Unlike the majority of Hindu festivals, it is a night-time festival, observed on the evening and day before a new moon, which in 2012 is 20 February.

Every night of the new moon is dedicated to Shiva but this one is particularly important. It is the night which Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance from creation to destruction.

Many Hindus fast and the devout say all-night prayers.

“Children under the age of 16 years should not take a direct part in any conflict”

(Article 38 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child).

It is estimated that over 300,000 children under the age of 18, both boys and girls, are involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide.

Africa has the highest number of child soldiers. However, UNICEF has also found an alarming number of child soldiers in the East Asia-Pacific Region.  They also discovered  that Burma has more children soldiers than any other country in the world – it is estimated that there are 70,000 children in the Burmese state army alone.

Red Hand Day on 12 February, is a worldwide initiative to stop the use of child soldiers. On Red Hand Day public protest, demonstrations and other activities take place. The Red Hand Day’s symbol is a red hand which has been used all over the world by many organizations in order to say NO to child recruitment and the use of child soldiers. If you want to participate, you can find information at www.redhandday.org.

Supposedly, the third Monday after Christmas is the ‘saddest’ day of the year, based on amount of debt, motivation levels and lack of sunlight.  There is no real mathematics behind the ‘formula’ used and the whole thing was part of a marketing campaign by a travel company (and the ‘happiest’ day in June, is an ice-cream promotion!).  However, if you are feeling a little blue, The Mental Health Foundation has some great resources and suggests ten ways to look after your mental health.

Talk About Your Feelings

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.

Eat Well

There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect.  But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health.

Keep in Touch

Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever’s going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems.

Take a Break

A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new.

Accept Who You Are

Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We’re all different.

Keep Active

Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better.

Drink Sensibly

We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.

Ask for Help

None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.

Do Something You’re Good At

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

Care for Others

Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.

UNICEF and schools have been working together on Day for Change for over 20 years. On the first Friday in February (3 February 2012) UNICEF asks schools to make a change in their day and ask students, staff and parents to make a donation to UNICEF for making that change.

You can now register for Day for Change 2012.

Sports for Development in Uganda

Each year a different country and a different theme is chosen. In 2012 your school can help change the lives of children Uganda by funding Sports for Development programmes.

UNICEF believes that sport can be used to engage children, developing their confidence, talent, skills and sense of teamwork. It is essential for their physical, mental and social development. But lots of children, especially girls, are being denied their right to an education. In Uganda, UNICEF is helping children realise their rights through sport.

Denying children’s rights is wrong. Help put it right.

Free resource kit

Every school that registers receives a free resource kit packed with fundraising ideas, assembly and lesson plans, real life stories, stickers, posters and much more to make their Day for Change a success. Schools can also download additional resources or print out extra copies on the Day for Change 2011 resources page.

“National Nest Box Week is great for birds. Starting on St Valentine’s Day, it’s the time we remind ourselves to provide homes for dozens of species, from Blue Tits to Barn Owls.

If you’ve never built a nest box before, why not give it a go this year? Or if you haven’t got the time, it’s easy to buy a good one. Go on, take part for Britain’s birds!”

National Nestbox Week (14-21 February 2012) aims to encourage everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area in order to promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife.

The natural nest sites on which many of our bird species depend, such as holes in trees and buildings, are fast disappearing as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and old houses are repaired. Since National Nest Box Week was launched in 1997, thousands of enthusiastic naturalists across the UK have put up boxes to compensate for this loss. It is estimated that there are now 5-6 million boxes in gardens across the UK.

Whether you’re a family with space for a box in your garden, a teacher, a member of a local wildlife group, or you belong to a bird club and could organise a work party, National Nest Box Week gives you the chance to contribute to the conservation effort in the UK whilst giving you the pleasure of observing any breeding birds that you attract to your garden.

The theme of this year’s National Science & Engineering Week is “our world in motion” and it runs from 9 – 18 March 2012

National Science & Engineering Week shines the spotlight each March on how the sciences and engineering relate to our everyday lives and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.

With over 4,500 events and activities attended by 1.7 million people in 2011, this is the UK’s widest grassroots celebration of all things science and engineering.   Each year, the British Science Association produces a series of new free resources and activities for event organisers and schools to help them run a science, engineering or technology event..

Following last year’s successful inaugural event, Dunbar’s second Science Festival will be held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th March. The venue will be packed with a diverse mix of exciting science activities – shows, drop-in sessions, workshops, storytelling and talks. See dunbarscifest.org.uk website nearer the time for more info.

Edinburgh International Science Festival runs from 30 March – 15 April 2012

East Lothian’s forgotten engineer:

James Howden, Marine Engineer and Inventor, was one of Prestonpans most illustrious sons, yet no monument or memorial exists in his home town.

He was born on 29th February(!), 1832 and lived with his parents James and Catherine and his four younger siblings in a property in the town’s High Street.

By 1851, James had moved to Glasgow to begin his apprenticeship and where he was later to perfect the forced-draught system for boilers.

He went on to found Howden – now a worldwide engineering organisation.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of India with different names and different rituals.

The festival marks the commencement of Sun’s journey to the northern hemisphere, thereby making the days warmer and longer than the nights – i.e. it marks the end of winter season and beginning of harvest or spring season.

It is one of the few Hindu festivals which is celebrated on a fixed date each year – 14 January.

Some common rituals include spring cleaning, wearing new clothes and exchanging gifts.

In Gujarat and Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is a festival of the young and the old. Colourful kites are flown all around.

In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is called Lohri. December and January are the coldest months of the year in Punjab and huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankranti. Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown on the bonfires and friends and relatives gather together.

In Uttar Pradesh, this period is celebrated as Kicheri. It is considered important to have a bath on this day and masses of people can be seen bathing in the Sangam at Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswathi flow together.

In Southern India it’s the harvest festival Pongal and lasts for 3 days. On the first day, rice boiled with milk is offered to the Rain God. On the second day, it is offered to the the Sun God and on the third day, the family cattle are given a bath and dressed with flowers, bells and colours, to honour them for their hard work in the fields.

The theme for the Safer Internet Day (7 February 2012) is Connecting Generations with the slogan “Discovering the digital world together safely”.

Get involved and help raise awareness of internet safety for this year’s Safer Internet Day. There are many things you can do, including helping to spread the word about the Day and running activities with children and young people, parents and carers and others in the community.

The Safer Internet Centre here in the UK have produced packs for schools, which include quick ideas for teachers, a lesson plan and an assembly.

Download your 2012 schools pack now at the Safer Internet Day web site.

What is Braille?

Braille is the system of touch reading and writing that utilises raised dots to represent the letters of the print alphabet for persons who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille system also includes symbols to represent punctuation, mathematics and scientific characters, music, computer notation, and foreign languages.

How is Braille taught?

At The Royal Blind School in Edinburgh pupils start to learn Braille by strengthening their fingertips. Students play with items such as macaroni and peas in a tray and try to sort them using their fingertips. They then progress to learning actual Braille that is taught by their teachers, printing their own stories on Brailling machines. Finally as teenagers they can progress to Braille notebooks that are a really fast and professional means of writing and transcribing Braille.

How was Braille Invented?

Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France, near Paris on January 4, 1809. At the age of 3 he was playing with a sharp awl in his father’s harness making shop, when he accidentally poked his eye, and subsequently developed an eye infection causing total blindness. He attended the local school until 1819, when he was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris where he was the youngest student. While there, Braille yearned for more books to read. He experimented with ways to make an alphabet that was easy to read with the fingertips. He started by working on a reading code with a special tool he developed called a slate and stylus. In 1824 at the age of 15, he invented the 6-dot Braille system that evolved from the tactile “Ecriture Nocturne” (night writing) code invented by Charles Barbier de la Serre to send military messages that could be read on the battlefield at night, without light. In 1829 he published his work in Method of Writing Words, Music and Plain Songs by means of Dots for Use by the Blind. He then spent the majority of his life working on this tactile reading and writing system.

Learning Braille

Braille is a system of transcribing print so it can be read by touch. Braille is now mainly used by blind people but the original idea was for soldiers to be able to read at night without putting themselves in danger by using any light.
Cells
The basis of the Braille system is known as the Braille cell. The cell is comprised of six dots numbered in a specific order. Each dot or combination of dots represents a letter of the alphabet and there are 63 different cells not counting the space. The positions are normally numbered starting at the top of the left-hand column as shown opposite.

The two main forms of tactile Braille are embossed paper Braille and refreshable Braille displays (RBDs) in which an electronic signal results in pins moving up and down to make a row of cells. Braille readers use RBDs as computer monitors.
Codes
A natural question is what the Braille cells mean. However, the cells have no intrinsic meanings; since there is only one standard Braille alphabet, the cells mean different things depending on which Braille Code is in use: math, music, Japanese, etc.
Memorizing the dots
One way to learn the alphabet in literary Braille is to memorise the dot patterns for the first ten letters, a-j, shown by the simulated or inkprint Braille cells below.

(The shadow dots in empty positions are for sighted persons and are not used in embossed Braille.)

The dot patterns for the next ten letters, k-t, are the same as the first ten but with an additional dot in position 3. The dot patterns for the letters u,v,x,y, and z are the same as the letters a-e with additional dots in positions 3 and 6. The letter “w”, dot pattern 2-4-5-6, is out of alphabetical order because the French alphabet did not have that letter when Louis Braille invented the Braille alphabet in 1829.

The picture below shows you how the dots are arranged in the Braille cell for each letter of the alphabet.

Braille does not have a separate alphabet of capital letters as there is in print. Capital letters are indicated by placing a dot 6 in front of the letter to be capitalised. Two capital signs mean the whole word is capitalized

Braille numbers are made using the first ten letters of the alphabet, “a” through “j”, and a special number sign, dots 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Larger numbers only need one number sign.
The comma in braille is dot 2.

Information courtesy of:

American Federation for the Blind [ www.afb.org ]
Perkins [ www.perkins.org ]
World Blind Union [ www.worldblindunion.org ]

Why not try some Braille games or send secret messages at http://www.nationalbrailleweek.org/

What is Braille?

Braille is the system of touch reading and writing that utilises raised dots to represent the letters of the print alphabet for persons who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille system also includes symbols to represent punctuation, mathematics and scientific characters, music, computer notation, and foreign languages.

How is Braille taught?

At The Royal Blind School in Edinburgh pupils start to learn Braille by strengthening their fingertips. Students play with items such as macaroni and peas in a tray and try to sort them using their fingertips. They then progress to learning actual Braille that is taught by their teachers, printing their own stories on Brailling machines. Finally as teenagers they can progress to Braille notebooks that are a really fast and professional means of writing and transcribing Braille.

How was Braille Invented?

Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France, near Paris on January 4, 1809. At the age of 3 he was playing with a sharp awl in his father’s harness making shop, when he accidentally poked his eye, and subsequently developed an eye infection causing total blindness. He attended the local school until 1819, when he was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris where he was the youngest student. While there, Braille yearned for more books to read. He experimented with ways to make an alphabet that was easy to read with the fingertips. He started by working on a reading code with a special tool he developed called a slate and stylus. In 1824 at the age of 15, he invented the 6-dot Braille system that evolved from the tactile “Ecriture Nocturne” (night writing) code invented by Charles Barbier de la Serre to send military messages that could be read on the battlefield at night, without light. In 1829 he published his work in Method of Writing Words, Music and Plain Songs by means of Dots for Use by the Blind. He then spent the majority of his life working on this tactile reading and writing system.

Learning Braille

Braille is a system of transcribing print so it can be read by touch. Braille is now mainly used by blind people but the original idea was for soldiers to be able to read at night without putting themselves in danger by using any light.
Cells
The basis of the Braille system is known as the Braille cell. The cell is comprised of six dots numbered in a specific order. Each dot or combination of dots represents a letter of the alphabet and there are 63 different cells not counting the space. The positions are normally numbered starting at the top of the left-hand column as shown opposite.

The two main forms of tactile Braille are embossed paper Braille and refreshable Braille displays (RBDs) in which an electronic signal results in pins moving up and down to make a row of cells. Braille readers use RBDs as computer monitors.
Codes
A natural question is what the Braille cells mean. However, the cells have no intrinsic meanings; since there is only one standard Braille alphabet, the cells mean different things depending on which Braille Code is in use: math, music, Japanese, etc.
Memorizing the dots
One way to learn the alphabet in literary Braille is to memorise the dot patterns for the first ten letters, a-j, shown by the simulated or inkprint Braille cells below.

(The shadow dots in empty positions are for sighted persons and are not used in embossed Braille.)

The dot patterns for the next ten letters, k-t, are the same as the first ten but with an additional dot in position 3. The dot patterns for the letters u,v,x,y, and z are the same as the letters a-e with additional dots in positions 3 and 6. The letter “w”, dot pattern 2-4-5-6, is out of alphabetical order because the French alphabet did not have that letter when Louis Braille invented the Braille alphabet in 1829.

The picture below shows you how the dots are arranged in the Braille cell for each letter of the alphabet.

Braille does not have a separate alphabet of capital letters as there is in print. Capital letters are indicated by placing a dot 6 in front of the letter to be capitalised. Two capital signs mean the whole word is capitalized

Braille numbers are made using the first ten letters of the alphabet, “a” through “j”, and a special number sign, dots 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Larger numbers only need one number sign.
The comma in braille is dot 2.

Information courtesy of:

American Federation for the Blind [ www.afb.org ]
Perkins [ www.perkins.org ]
World Blind Union [ www.worldblindunion.org ]

Why not try some Braille games or send secret messages at http://www.nationalbrailleweek.org/