"Welcome, winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless." - Terri Guillemets
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell
* NB. There isn't much Christmas content in this CST activities page, as there will be a Christmas CST activities page next week *
INTRODUCTION
Remind members of the day, date, month, season and year. Ask them to introduce themselves and say what they like, or dislike, about winter.
Have some examples on standby if anyone struggles to answer ...
- Stormy weather, gales and rain, umbrellas and wellies
- Floods and puddles
- Cold weather, frost, snow and ice
- Being snowed in
- Digging out the drive
- Shorter days, dark mornings and evenings
- Sitting by the fire, wearing socks and jumpers to keep warm
- Writing Christmas cards
- Opening the Advent Calendar
- Putting up the Christmas decorations
- Decorating the Christmas tree
- Picking holly and ivy
- Doing the Christmas shopping
- Making the Christmas cake
- Buying and wrapping presents
- Having a glass of mulled wine or a mince pie
Add to the list.
SOME FACTS ABOUT WINTER
The season includes the months of December, January and February.
The winter solstice, or shortest day, is 21st December. The hours of day light (in London) on this day are 7 hours, 49 minutes and 43 seconds. This is 8 hours, 48 minutes and 37 seconds shorter than the summer solstice (on 21st June).
The worst winters on record in the UK were:
The 'Big Freeze' in 1962-63. Temperatures fell to -20c across the UK and snow drifts of 20ft were experienced across Wales and the South West. The cold weather started in December and lasted pretty much until March.
The 'Winter Of Discontent' in 1978-79. A blizzard hit on New Year's Eve and caused widespread disruption to transport and power. This was also the winter of widespread strikes in the public sector, hence the impact was greater with many without heating, and sometimes lighting. (James Callaghan was Prime Minister at the time.)
Ask members if they remember the power cuts and ask how they filled the time without TV. Radio was often okay, as many sets were battery powered. Candles were often in short supply. As was food, as many distribution centres were affected by the strikes.
Who remembers having a bath or getting dressed in front of a coal fire?
Did anyone have an outside toilet at the time? (Remember 'Izal' toilet paper?)
1981-82 was pretty bad, when the South West and Midlands had drifts of up to 23ft. The cold lasted throughout December and January.
The most recent extended cold snap was in 2009-10. Most of the UK suffered very cold temperatures, as low as -17c, with snow and ice not melting for several weeks. 1,000 motorists were trapped on the A3 in Hampshire from January 5th-6th and water and electricity supplies were disrupted.
Discuss with members who likes the snow?
- Who remembers tobogganing, having a snowball fight and making a snowman?
- Who had a duffle coat or a parka? What about mittens on a string across your arms?
- What about bobble hats and scarves. Has anyone started wearing their's yet?
We all agreed that as long as you have warmth, food and company then snow and ice outside can be nice to look at. But when you have to venture outside, for work or other commitments, then things can get a bit tricky.
We also agreed that winters are generally warmer and wetter than they used to be, most likely as a result of global warming.
IDIOMS Complete the following phrases with members ...
- The north wind doth blow and WE SHALL HAVE SNOW (An old saying) - Jack Frost nipping at your NOSE (Cold outside) - Blanket of SNOW (Freshly fallen, deep covering of snow) - Dead of WINTER (Midwinter)
- Not a snowball’s chance in HELL (No chance) - Cold hands, warm HEART (A nice person, underneath the frosty exterior) - A cold SNAP (A sudden and brief period of cold weather) - As pure as the driven SNOW (Innocent, virtuous, flawless) (As pure as the driven SLUSH is a person not so innocent, virtuous or flawless!) - Cold COMFORT (An insufficient consolation) - In the cold light of DAY (A time and place from which problems can be objectively considered) - In cold BLOOD (Ruthlessly) - Left out in the COLD (Neglected) - Skating on thin ICE (In an unstable or risky situation) - Snowball EFFECT (An escalating process, something that starts off small but grows very quickly as it picks up momentum) - The tip of the ICEBERG (The small detectable part of a much larger and hidden problem) - Add fuel to the FIRE (Intensify a conflict, make a bad situation worse) - Snowed UNDER (Overloaded with work) - Break out in a cold SWEAT (Get clammy due to fear or anxiety) - Break the ICE (Do or say something to relieve the tension) - Sends shivers down your SPINE (Suddenly become afraid) - Freeze UP (Find yourself unable to do/say anything because of panic) - Get cold FEET (Lose your nerve) - Give someone the cold SHOULDER (Snub someone or be intentionally unfriendly) - Go cold TURKEY (Abruptly and completely give something up) - Blow hot and COLD (Feel suddenly shocked or scared) - Pour/throw cold water on SOMETHING (Discourage or put a stop to something) - Put something on ICE (Put something aside for the moment, delay something) - Under the WEATHER (Unwell or in low spirits) - When hell freezes OVER (Never)
OPENING SONG. 'December, 1963', Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTUhnIY3oRM&list=PLmQprd5YNQjsQopzy-WVncFMIAU-ntNaM
Who composed the classical music 'The Four Seasons'? -
Go around the room and ask members which is their favourite season and why?
Oh, what a night Late December back in sixty three What a very special time for me As I remember, what a night
Oh, what a night, you know I didn't even know her name But I was never gonna be the same What a lady, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh what a night, hypnotizin' mesmerizing me She was ev'rything I dreamed she'd be Sweet surrender, what a night
I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under
Oh, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin' when she walked in the room And my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh, what a night Why'd it take so long to see the light? Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right What a lady, what a night
Oh I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of thunder Spinnin' my head around and takin' my body under Oh what a night Do-do-do, do-do-do Do-do-do-do, oh what a night
MUSIC AND PICTURE QUIZ
ROUND 1. Stormy weather
 | How Cardiff looked in the 1970s when it flooded. Which river burst its banks? Complete the well known rhyme ... "Dr Foster went to Gloucester ..." |
 | What year did the UK have 'hurricane' face winds? Which forecaster misread the signs? Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi1a5Tbw77E |
 | What is the coldest day on record in the UK? (Nearest guess) What is melting dirty snow called? |
 | A foot of snow when it melts produces how many inches of water? Name the flower? |
 | How much can the Police fine you for driving with snow on your roof or windscreen? What is the Welsh word for Police? |
 | What substance do Snow Ploughs spread? Where does it come from? NB. Scotland has named all of theirs - eg 'Nitty Gritty', 'Spready Mercury', 'Chilly Connolly', 'Gritting Gritty Bang Bang' & 'Luke Snowwalker'. |
 | What was the name given to the 2018 winter storm, which hit the Vale Of Glamorgan especially badly? Who likes being snowed in? |
 | How would YOU make a snow man? Which bridge can you see in this photo? |
In the 1973 song 'It May Be Winter Outside', by Love Unlimited, what is the next part of the opening line?
Here it is - https://youtu.be/GOW-shJrPKA
When does (meteorological) Spring start?
When the temperature dips
I miss my baby's arms
His tender finger tips
Knows just how to keep me warm
It may be zero degrees
With the snow falling down
But I've got warm and tender love
Just as long as he's around
Chorus . It may be winter outside
But in my heart it's spring
How much joy and pleasure, baby
Can one guy bring me
Winter nights can be awful cold
Without someone to hold
But when I have him next to me
Baby, I'm in ecstasy
Chorus.
Throughout my life
I've had my share of guys
But he's been the only one
Who can make my temperature rise
Things are just not the same
When he's not by my side
But yet, I shouldn't complain
But be waiting with my arms open wide
Chorus.
It may be winter outside
But in my heart it's spring
How much joy and pleasure, baby
Can one guy bring me
ROUND 2. Literature & Film (NOT Christmas movies - that's next week)
 | Name the seven dwarfs in the 1937 film 'Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs'? |
 | Which 1965 film starring Omar Sharif is set in the 'Russian Civil War'? Who directed the movie? |
 | What was the name of the 1980 film starring Jack Nicolson set in the 'Overlook Hotel' in the Rocky Mountains? Who wrote the book? |
 | Which 2001 movie set in London starred Rene Zellwegger and Colin Firth? Who wrote the book? |
 | Which 2017 movie starred Kenneth Branagh as the detective Hercule Poirot? Who wrote the book? |
 | Where is the land of talking animals and mythical creatures that one White Witch has ruled for 100 years of deep winter? Who wrote the books? |
 | Name these three characters from Harry Potter? Who wrote the books? |
 | Who is this? She had a hit TV series called 'In The Land Of The Northern Lights' a few years ago. Where would you go to see them? |
Is this image ever possible, that it, do polar bears and penguins live alongside each other?
'Northern Lights', Renaissance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIEqdXpG5Pg
What is the proper name for the Northern Lights?
Has anyone seen them, or would anyone like to?
ROUND 3. Winter Sports
 | Where are the next Winter Olympics in 2026 being held? |
 | Which British competitor finished last, but was the first ever to ski jump, in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary? (There was a 2016 movie about him, starring Taron Egerton.) Clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UAwQ0pe460 |
 | Which UK ice dancing partnership won gold in the Ice Dancing competition in the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984? What piece of music did they dance to? Here is their routine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8obUdxnTlc |
 |
Which Caribbean country entered a bobsleigh team in the 1988 Winter Olympics?
(There was a 1993 film about this, entitled 'Cool Runnings'.)
|
 | What is the name of the dog renowned for saving avalanche victims? Which alcoholic beverage do they carry around their neck? |
What 5 sports have been included in every Winter Olympics since they started in 1924?
What might you indulge in after taking part in Winter sports?
What drink is most commonly drunk in this Winter pursuit?
Who fancies staying overnight in an 'Ice Hotel'?
'California Dreamin', The Mamas And Papas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NJayW1kOeM
Who was the lead singer with 'The Mamas And Papas'?
Who has spent Christmas and New Year overseas?
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown) And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray) I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm) If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.) California dreamin' (California dreamin') On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church I passed along the way Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees) And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold) He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay) California dreamin' (California dreamin') On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown) And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray) I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
ROUND 4. Advent
 | Does anyone remember making this 'Advent Crown'? (Note fire risk !!!) What TV show was it and who is the presenter? |
 | Does anyone remember opening an 'Advent Calendar'? How did it work? |
 | How many days are there in Advent? Is anyone planning to visit a 'Christmas Market'? |
 | How do you make 'Mulled Wine'? What do the Germans call it? |
 | Who is putting up Christmas lights this year? Think of the best Christmas lights YOU ever saw? |
 | Which country has given a Christmas Tree to Trafalgar Square each year since 1947? And why? |
 | How would YOU decorate a Christmas cake? What is the yellow layer called and what is it made from?
|
 | Name this bird? Does it only come to the UK for the winter months, or is it here all year? |
 | When was the first Christmas Card sent? How many Christmas cards get sent every year in the UK? (This 177 year old Christmas card, printed in the same year as Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' was written, was recently up for sale at Christie's, with a guide price of £5-8,000.) |
'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow', Dean Martin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnil5LyK_B0
What was his nickname? - 'The King Of ....' (What?)
List some winter weathers?
Oh, the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Man it doesn't show signs of stopping And I brought me some corn for popping The lights are turned way down low Let it snow! Let it snow!
When we finally kiss goodnight How I'll hate going out in the storm But if you'll really hold me tight All the way home I'll be warm
And the fire is slowly dying And, my dear, we're still goodbying But as long as you'd love me so Let it snow! Let it snow and snow!
When we finally kiss goodnight How I'll hate going out in the storm But if you really grab me tight All the way home I'll be warm
Oh, the fire is slowly dying And, my dear, we're still goodbying But as long as you'd love me so Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Name these old coal fire tools?
Describe how YOU would set a coal fire?
And finally ...
Which zodiac sign runs from November 22 to December 21?
Name these famous people with wintery names ....
Final songs ...
'You've Got A Friend', Carole King & James Taylor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEFfzHiEKHY
Which Carole King album did this song ferature on?
‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’, Bing Crosby - https://youtu.be/A4zBSnMhvI0
What was his nickname?
How would you stay warm in the cold weather? Make a list...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go Take a look at the five and ten, it's glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes that glow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Toys in every store But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door
A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots Is the wish of Barney and Ben Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk Is the hope of Janice and Jen And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Everywhere you go There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Soon the bells will start And the thing that'll make 'em ring is the carol that you sing Right within your heart
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Toys in every store But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door
Sure, it's Christmas once more
Each year 'Classic FM' hosts a chart of 'The Nation's Favourite Carols'. 'O Holy Night' was voted last year as number one. But here is a link to the Top 30, with videos included.
Ask members to choose a carol to sing together - https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/nations-top-30-christmas-carols/
(Mine is 'In The Bleak Midwinter' - https://youtu.be/9FDgRXPSv3U )
Ask members how they like to decorate their Christmas tree? Do they put and angel or robin on top?
What about baubles and glitter?
Any Christmas lights outside the house?
What about putting the presents under the tree?
Or a Christmas stocking on the mantlepiece?
What about Christmas shopping?
Has anyone finished their preparations yet?
On a scale of 1-10, how excited are members for Christmas?
How many days are left?
NURSERY RHYMES
❄️ The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor Robin do then? Poor thing. He’ll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing.
☃️
I’m a little snowman, short and fat, Here’s my scarf! And here’s my hat! When I see the snowflakes, hear me shout! All you children, please come out!
🌳
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
On a cold and frosty morning!
☔️
It's raining, it's pouring. The old man is snoring. He bumped his head and went to bed And he couldn't get up in the morning.
🌦
Rain, rain go away Come again another day. Rain, rain go away Little Johnny wants to play.
🌱🌞🍂🥶
Spring is showery, flowery, bowery Summer - hoppy, croppy, poppy, Autumn - wheezy, sneezy, freezy, Winter - slippy, drippy, nippy.
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
Make snowflakes with an origami technique - see YouTube video for an example.
Decorate them with coloured pens, glitter and whatever else is available.
Make a snowflake chain.
Or ...
Decorate some gingerbread men with different coloured icing sugar. Kits are available in most superstores.
REFRESHMENTS
Have some mince pies and mulled wine on stand by.
Eat the gingerbread men, if you have managed to make any.
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ ANSWERS
OPENING SONG QUESTION. ANTONIO VIVALDI
ROUND 1
RIVER TAFF /
15TH OCTOBER 1987 / MICHAEL FISH
MINUS 27.2C - RECORDED TWICE (IN BRAEMAR ON 10TH JANUARY 1982 AND IN ALTNAHARRA ON 30TH DECEMBER 1995)
ONLY ONE INCH / SNOWDROP
£60 / HEDDLU
SALT / SALT MINES - THE BIGGEST IS IN CHESHIRE
'THE BEAST FROM THE EAST'
COAL FOR EYES, CARROT FOR NOSE, SCARF, TWIGS FOR ARMS ETC
SPRING STARTS 1SR MARCH
ROUND 2
BASHFUL, DOPEY, GRUMPY, HAPPY, SLEEPY, SNEEZY & DOC
'DOCTOR ZHIVAGO' / DAVID LEAN
'THE SHINING' / STEVEN KING
'BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY' / HELEN FIELDING
'MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS' / AGATHA CHRISTIE
'THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA' ('THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE') / C.S. LEWIS (1898-1963)
HARRY POTTER, RON WEASLEY & HERMIONE GRANGER / J.K. ROWLING
JANNA LUMLEY / ARCTIC CIRCLE
NO - POLAR BEARS LIVE EXCLUSIVELY IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, PENGUINS LIVE EXCLUSIVELY IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
AURORA BOREALIS
ROUND 3
MILAN, ITALY
'EDDIE THE EAGLE EDWARDS
JAYNE TORVILL & CHRISTOPHER DEAN / 'RAVEL'S BOLERO'
JAMAICA
ST BERNARD / BRANDY
ICE HOCKEY, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SKI JUMPING, FIGURE SKATING & SPEED SKATING
APRES SKI / SCHNAPPS
MAMA CASS / 32 (SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK)
ROUND 4
'BLUE PETER' / JOHN NOAKES
24 WINDOWS TO OPEN
40 DAYS
GLUHWEIN / RED WINE, ORANGE SLIVES, CINNAMON, CLOVES, STAR BANISE & SUGAR - HEATED
NORWAY (In gratitude for the role of Britain in preserving Norwegian liberty during the Second World War)
BRANDY TO SOAK INTO THE CAKE, LAYER OF APRICOT JAM, LAYER OF MARZIPAN (ALMOND PASTE), FONDANT ICING & DECORATIONS
ROBIN / THEY STAY IN THE UK ALL YEAR ROUND
1843 (By John Calcott. He printed and sent it to his friend Sir Henry Cole, the man who gave him the idea.) / 900 MILLION, THAT'S 16 CARDS EACH
'THE KING OF COOL'
- Drizzle
- Mist
- Fog
- Rain
- Hail
- Frost
- Freezing rain
- Sleet
- Snow
- Wind
- Gales
- Blizzard
- Floods
COALMAN, COAL CELLAR/BUNKER, SCUTTLE, SHOVEL, TONGS, BRUSH, NEWSPAPER (TO DRAW THE FIRE), MATCHES (TO START IT)
SAGGITARIUS
NOEL EDMONDS ('MULTICOLOURED SWAP SHOP', 'NOEL'S HOUSE PARTY', 'DEAL OR NO DEAL')
NOEL FIELDING ('GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF')
NOEL GORDON ('CROSSROADS')
NOEL GALLAGHER ('OASIS')
BERNIE WINTERS / SNORBITZ
JON SNOW (CHANNEL 4 NEWS)
CAROL VORDERMAN ('COUNTDOWN' - WITH RICHARD WHITELEY)
RUDOLF NUREYEV
MARY BERRY
HOLLY WILLOUGHBY
HOLLY JOHNSON
NICHOLAS PARSONS ('SALE OF THE CENTURY')
'TAPESTRY'
'THE OLD CROONER'
- Central heating
- Thermal underwear
- Hat, gloves, scarf
- A winter coat
- Extra blanket
- Thick socks
- Hot soup
- Sit in front of a coal fire 🔥
