IT’S February – at last. I don’t know why but it just seems to have been a long winter and getting rid of January is a Brucey Bonus.

I know February can be cold but it doesn’t usually last too long and suddenly the signs of spring are around us. Snowdrops are in flower and daffodils are peeking through. There’s a buzz out in the garden with robins singing and a general tweeting of birds. Herons will start nesting this month and it’s not that long till the big day - when the clocks change!

But whilst February seems to glide by, it has a few unusual features. According to the Venerable Bede, the famous scholar and author from the seventh century, February was the month of cakes, as that’s when they were commonly given as presents.

As the shortest month, it’s the only month that can pass without a full moon occurring. That last occurred in 2022 and happens about every 19 years. Much rarer is a leap year February without a full moon. It last occurred in 1608 and won’t occur again till 2572, so I won’t be seeing that.

The name February comes from the Roman festival of purification called Februarius which took place on February 15. There are other festivals, generally linked to purification and renewal, as the season turns. February 2 is Candlemas, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, marking the purification of Mary.

Of course, the big day is February 14, Valentine’s Day. Whilst it was an important day at school - would you get a card? - it’s now a full-on commercial venture (in my opinion!).

St Valentine was a Roman saint who lived in the third century, and he was executed for his faith and his work as a priest, on February 14, AD269.

The day was commemorated from AD 496 as St Valentine’s Day. It was much later, in the Middle Ages, when the romantic connection was created, as it was believed this was the period when birds mated. Close enough, I guess.