Diary summary weekending 4th January 2026

[Gillg]

Re my earlier description of the New Year mummers, I have since read that this particular form of mummers is actually native to Lancashire and they usually sweep the hearth or the floor.  Yes, it was indeed Lancashire where we were living, though from memory they didn't just sweep the hearth, but also did a perfunctory bit of dusting, too.  The striking thing about them was that they never said a word, just hummed this "mmmmmm" sound the whole time.

So different from the noisy mummers and their plays that you see in other parts of the country.

[BushInn1746]

There was an article about it in the Guardian this year 2025

Search summary for Guardian article ...
22 Apr 2025 — Blocking sunlight could temporarily slow the climate crisis but the technologies remain highly controversial.

The article is beyond a paywall
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/22/uk-scientists-outdoor-geoengineering-experiments

 ---------------

There was a large public Petition around June 2025 that the public were opposed to Solar and Geo Engineering

UK Parliamentary Petition
Make all forms of 'geo-engineering' affecting the environment illegal
160,632 signatures
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701963 

The government response is now in the above link

 --------------------

Just found this, that previously in 2024 the UK Government appear to be denying cloud seeding operations ...

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-11-26/HL2905/


Sorry Roobarb if my hasty response caused any anxiety.

I do care about people and the environment.

Mark

[Roobarb]

Thanks Mark, it didn't cause me any anxiety. I know that cloud seeding goes on in the world, although I seem to remember it caused quite a catastrophe, but I don't believe it goes on in the UK.

[River Tyne Lass]

Hi Roobarb,
Thanks for your kind words re my Grandson, I hope that this coming year will bring an end to his treatment and he can move on to a fully normal life again. 
Re raising the retirement age I agree and think the government have a one size fits all mentality about it.  They seem to completely overlook that some jobs will naturally take more of a toll physically.
I mentioned to SiL about the silver iodine this afternoon and she hadn't heard of it either.  I can believe they might be experimenting  for global warming and/or for the benefit of countries who have droughts.  As for us in the North East I think we have more than our fair share of the rain already.
Well, all the best for 2026 everyone.

[BushInn1746]

Hello R

I can't have that precious Green furry Roobarb with a smiley face getting hurt, hope you are keeping well or feeling much better. Hope your garden looks to your satisfaction now.

I have changed the protectors, the sheet and duvet, pillow protectors & slips on my bed and using the reasonably good days to mostly dry them outside, finishing them on the airer inside.

It takes 3 washes (over 3 days) with only one Tall airer inside.

Bottom sheet and towels tomorrow.

I didn't like this machine because there is no temp between 60 & 90 deg C.

Keep well everyone.

Best wishes Mark

[Roobarb]

I'm fine thanks Mark. Looking forward to the spring bulbs flowering in my garden, amazing that Gillg has them in bud already but she's a long way further south of of course.

Well done on getting all the bedding changed, a nice fresh start to the New Year.

[Viktoria]

Well in our area if Manchester there were The First Footers, the first people to come to your door and wish you A Happy New Year, they did not come in though .
My Mum used to tell me to stand at the front door on New Years Eve,in the day time, to look for a man with as many noses as there were days in the year—- I expected him to have 365 noses and there was a man who I later realised had a very sad skin condition, but no it was ‘t him——-well as it was December 30 th ,every one had as many noses as days in the year —-
It got me from “ under her feet! “ ie in the way and hampering the big clean.

Well fireworks going off ,very big bangs, so :-
A Very Happy and Healthy New Year, to everyone , with hopes and prayers for peace in the current war zones .
Thanks for your great kindness throughout the year folks, it is greatly appreciated.
Viktoria.
A

[Roobarb]

Happy New Year everyone 

Any resolutions? I was going to make a resolution to stop procrastinating but I decided to leave it till next year. 

[louisa maud]

Same here, not made any this year if I will be breaking  them tomorrow.

 Very cold today,  did put washing  out as it was quite breezy.

Treated today a bit like a Sunday,  thought our daughtercwould have visited  us no sign so far.

Helping my OH    with his drops  having had both cataracts  done on Monday.

RTL,   wishing your grandson with my good wishes for a good outcome , he has been a strong little lad.

Take care everyone, might be a case if wrapping up with warmer clothes soon if predictions are correct.

LM