Swithin keeps eye on weather

Considering the good weather, it may have escaped your notice that yesterday was St Swithin’s Day, a feast day usually associated with rain.

In fact, the weather pattern forecast by conditions on the day can also mean a long spell of sunshine and dry days.

According to the old rhyme, the weather on St Swithin’s Day indicates what it will be like for the next 40 days — fair or foul: