Don’t get caught without an umbrella this St Swithun’s Day

13 July 2011

According to tradition, if it ‘dost rain’ on St Swithun’s Day, 15 July, ‘for forty days it will remain’, so make sure you head to Winchester Tourist Information Centre to pick up a limited edition Visit Winchester St Swithun’s umbrella.

St Swithun was the Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester and patron saint of Winchester Cathedral – his memorial shrine can be seen in Winchester Cathedral.

If it doesn’t rain on the 15 July, we can hope that ‘For forty days 'twill rain nae mare’ - so the umbrella also doubles up as a handy sun shade and you will be prepared whatever the weather.

The golf umbrellas are available to buy now from the tourist information centre for just £14.99 and feature the British weather lore proverb around the rim of the umbrella. The tourist information centre is open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday and Bank Holidays from 11am – 4pm.

Ellen Simpson, Head of Tourism at Winchester City Council said:

“We initially order the umbrellas for our team of volunteer greeters who brave the British weather to welcome visitors and residents to the city for free. The umbrellas ‘went down a storm’ and were so popular with our greeters we just thought it would be a shame not to offer them to visitors as a reminder of St Swithun’s connection to Winchester and their visit – hopefully they won’t need them to keep off the rain!”

Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy and Tourism said,
“The Visit Winchester Greeter scheme, which harnesses the enthusiasm of local volunteers for where they live, is really gaining momentum.  The legend of St Swithun is nationally known and the umbrellas, originally a way of saying thank you to the ten Greeters, have become a way for Winchester City Council to make the most of Winchester’s heritage credentials and offer visitors a souvenir of their stay.”

Find out more about visiting St Swithun’s memorial shrine at Winchester Cathedral and book a free introductory ‘greet’ to the city online at www.visitwinchester.co.uk

For more information please contact

Ellen Simpson, Head of Tourism, tel: 01962 848 219, email: esimpson@winchester.gov.uk

Rachel Gander, Tourism Marketing and Development Officer, tel: 01962 848 556, email: rgander@winchester.gov.uk