- Easter is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21st. Therefore it can occur on any Sunday from March 22nd through to April 25th. Eastern Orthodox Churches take other factors into consideration, so they may celebrate Easter later.
- In China there is a celebration called Ching Ming which takes place at the same time as the Western tradition of Easter. Chinese families visit the graves of their ancestors and take along meals and sweets.
- Americans spend 2 billion dollars on Easter goodies, and eat 7.1 billion pounds of Easter goodies each year! With 60 million chocolate bunnies being sold each Easter.
- The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge. In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander, commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Marie.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There's no such thing as too much chocolate
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
To show your true colours you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey!
CINEMA REVIEW
MR BEANS HOLIDAY - PG
Mr Bean goes on holiday to France and becomes caught up in a crazy adventure.
MEET THE ROBINSONS - U
Lewis is a brilliant inventor with a lot of clever inventions to his credit. His latest project is the Memory Scanner, a machine that will help him find his birth mother so they can become a family.
THE LAST MIMSY - PG
'The Last Mimzy' tells the story of two siblings who, after discovering a box of toys sent from the future, begin developing some remarkable talents - both terrifying and wonderful.
LOCAL EVENTS
Wat Tyler Park
Throughout the Easter holidays (1st-15th April), Wat Tyler Country Park near Pitsea are putting on a number of fun activities in the RSPB’s Wildlife Discovery Centre and around the park.
For more information, contact 01268 559158.
Thorndon Country Park
Sunday 8 April to Monday 9 April
Easter Egg Hunt
Come and follow the trail, answer the questions, solve the puzzles and collect your Cadbury’s creme egg reward! No need to pre-book.
A donation of £2.50 per child is requested.
Meet: 10.00am to 3.00pm, Countryside Centre, Thorndon North.
Wednesday 11 April
Furry Friends Hunt
The teddies and their friends are having fun in the woods. Follow their route and see who you can spot. A self-guided trail with a prize at the end. Suitable for ages 3+. Start times: 10.30 - 11.00am and 1.45 - 2.15pm. Pre-booking essential: phone 01277 211250.
Cost: £3.00 per child.
FEATURED ARTIST
Scissor Sisters are an American alternative band who formed in 2001, whose style draws from disco, glam rock, pop and the gay-club scene of New York City.
While experiencing only limited mainstream success in their native USA, the band has been hugely successful in Europe and Australia, in particular in the UK, where their debut album becoming the best-selling album of 2004. Their single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" was the fourth best selling single in the UK in 2006 and stayed in the UK top 40 for 27 weeks.
Tracks played: She’s My Man, Take Your Mama
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Dolly Parton has been selected by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as this year's recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award.
Wallace and Gromit are moving to a new home after creators Aardman Animation were given the go-ahead to build a £10 million headquarters
BEAR TEASER
Q) 13% of us admit to occasionally doing what for our children?
A) Doing our kids homework – just to get them through it, and it gives us more time!
PLAYLIST INCLUDED
Wham – Wake Me Up Before You GoGo
Rembrandts – I’ll be There For You
Take That – Shine
Mika – Grace Kelly
Beyonce – Crazy In Love
Sugababes – Hole In The Head
Aha – Sun Always Shines on TV
Durran Durran – Girls on Film
Justin Timberlake – Rock Your Body
ABC – When Smokey Sings
