Oaks

17/8/2019

Back in 1651 the future Charles II famously hid in an oak to escape detection from rampaging Oliver Cromwell. The thence known Royal Oak has given its name to innumerable pubs.

And when Charles II was invited back to England in 1660, he declared the 29th May be celebrated as Oak Apple Day, commemorating his tree climbing adventure on that day in 1651. The public were to wear oak leaves as a sign of loyalty, and children could freely pinch the bottoms of those who didn't, so hence it was known colloquially as 'pinch-bottom day'! The story continues to this day with a scarecrow festival. Any excuse for a festival.

The attached pic is of the Shropshire canal, where oaks were planted by the canal company to provide timber for future barges.





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