Diversity, Wellbeing & Environment Calendar

August 2024

Did you know?

Originally, August, named after the Roman Emperor, Augustus only had 30 days. July was named after Julius Caesar and had 31 days. Augustus became jealous as he did not want August to have fewer days than July. So he added a day to August, making it 31 days long.

But what does August mean to you? It may mean Summer holidays, School holidays, going away or sitting very still watching Team GB at the Paris Olympics!

Last month we talked about our B.Corporation Certification. This month we’re proud to be showing off our official plaque, which as you can see drew the attention of a local sheep.

Our GROW Academy runs a series of great workshops to support the learning journey, focussing on personal growth and equipping you with tools to maximise your learning experience. Currently on a Summer break, we are still running our hugely popular Mindfulness workshop during August. Follow the link below to book your fully funded place.

Other dates to note:

• Tisha B’Av – Judaism – 13th August. This day is a day of mourning for Jews and remembers the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is revered as one of the saddest days on their calendar. On this day, prayer services with the reading of the Book of Lamentations occur with fasting.
• Feast of Assumption – Catholic – 15th August. This day remembers the belief that Mary, Jesus’s mother, ascended into heaven at the end of her life. This is a significant day in the Roman Catholic faith.
• Ghost Festival – Buddhism – 18th August. The Ghost Festival is a time when it is believed that the gates of the afterlife are opened, allowing spirits to return to the world of the living for a brief period. The festival is marked by rituals aimed at pleasing these spirits, including offering food, burning incense, and presenting various forms of entertainment. The purpose is to honor ancestral spirits and provide them with comfort, ensuring they do not cause problems for the living.
• Krishna Janmashtami – Hinduism – 26/27th August. This Hindu festival celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth and fasting, and devotional singing is common on this day.

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