March is the month when we change seasons and gears out of the cold and into the spring.

Whether that makes you think of spring cleaning, getting your garden ready for planting, or starting to gear up for Easter there is something for everyone in the month of March.

Spring is well and truly in the air! After a cold snap, we’re so grateful to welcome in longer days, spring sunshine and daffodils galore.

Here are some facts about March:

1. March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war as it was the month in which the military campaigning season got underway after winter.
2. In Old English one name for the month of March was “Hlyda” meaning “loud” possibly because of the roaring March winds.
3. An old proverb says that “March comes in a like a lion and goes out like a lamb”, which means that winter is ending and spring is beginning.
4. In ancient Rome before Julius Caesar’s calendar reform, March was the first month of the year.
5. The expression “mad as a March hare” dates back to 1529. It refers to the wild behaviour of male hares during the mating season in March.
6. The birthstone for March is aquamarine and the flowers are daffodil or violet.
7. More 20th century UK Prime Ministers had birthdays in March than any other month

What’s happening in March?

We are still in Fairtrade Fortnight (27^th Feb – 12^th March) – When you choose Fairtrade, you’re helping make a difference to farmers all over the world. Fairtrade is a global movement that guarantees producers a fair deal. By making sure they’re paid fairly, it means that the producers who make many of our delicious goods, from chocolate and coffee to tea and bananas, are empowered through trade, not aid.

Choose Fairtrade and help to change lives

March is National Bed Month. Organised by the National Sleep Council, National Bed Month takes place every March. Its main purpose is to create awareness of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep – and how having the right bed can help.

You can’t beat a good night’s sleep – it leaves you feeling fit, thinking sharply and happy!

The foundation of good sleep is a comfortable bed and the right mattress. It can be the difference between a restorative night’s sleep and poor-quality sleep that results in tiredness and fatigue.

Our Quadrant Department Stores stock a wide range of beds, divan sets, adjustable beds, bed frames, headboards and mattresses to cater for every need and budget.

We stock top brands including Harrison Spinks, Sleepeeze, Dormeo, Hypnos and Relyon. Visit us in our Chelmsford Store on Friday 10th March, between 10am – 2pm and meet local Chiropractor, Matt for your Bed Mot.

Why not visit our Quadrant Stores’ Facebook page HERE for your chance to WIN a Women’s/Men’s Health Recover Pillow worth £129. Also, don’t miss World Sleep Day on 17^th March.

Thursday 2^nd March – World Book Day

Monday 6th – Sunday 12th March – National/British Pie Week

Monday 6^th March – Look out for our Easter Raffles in our Quadrant Department Stores. (Raising money for The Community Fund)

Wednesday 8^th March – International Women’s Day – is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

St Patrick’s Day – Thursday 17^th March – St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.

He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17th March annually.

Saturday 18^th March – The Spring Sale starts in our Quadrant Department Stores

Mothering Sunday – 19^th March – Held on the fourth Sunday in Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday, it was a originally a day to honour and give thanks to the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother Mary.

For great gift ideas, our food stores stock boxed chocolates, greetings cards, flowers, prosecco and small novelty gifts. Over in our Quadrant stores, we have a great selection of artificial flowers and gifts, including handbags, scarves and purses.

Thursday 23^rd March – Our Members’ Quizzical Lunch takes place in Braintree. (Replaces Fish & Chip Quiz) Find out more here. https://www.chelmsfordstar.coop/community/events/

 Monday 27^th March – Our Members’ Quizzical Lunch takes place in Chelmsford. (Replaces Fish & Chip Quiz) Find out more here. https://www.chelmsfordstar.coop/community/events/

British Summer Time begins.

In the UK the clocks go forward 1 hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March (26^th March this year), and back 1 hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October.

The period when the clocks are 1 hour ahead is called British Summer Time (BST). There’s more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings (sometimes called Daylight Saving Time).

What fruit and veg are in season for March?

Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Cucumber, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress, Rhubarb.

Star Signs

♓ Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20

♈ Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19

 Birth Flowers

The March birth flowers are daffodils and jonquils. As March is the month when spring officially begins it makes sense that the daffodil is the primary birth month flower for March.

Birth Stones

For the lucky people with March birthdays, two birthstones are associated with this early spring month: aquamarine and bloodstone.