EVE OF MICHAELMAS: At one time in the Scottish highlands, this was called

Crack-Nut day and nuts were eaten in churches.

SWINDON

1952: Members of the senior section of the Anglian Youth People’s Association presented a revue, It’s A Riot, at St Paul’s Church, Swindon followed by tea and social in Dowling Street Hall. The finale was a burlesque ballet presented by the Oily Cart Ballet Company.

1952: Autumn flowers and corn sheaves decorated Mr R D Jeeves old barn at North Farm, Stanton Fitzwarren where 200 people attended the village annual harvest supper . After the meal an entertainment was given by Highworth Youth Fellowship directed by Mr Alec Woodbridge at South Marston.

1962: The exhibits at a harvest festival service in Westcott Infant School were distributed, by the children, to old age pensioners. The annual event was organised by the headmistress Mrs M A Cope who also arranged the display of fruit and vegetables. Canon W J Cratchley Vicar of St Marks, Swindon, addressed the gathering of more than 100.

1962: Four young soldiers made their last visit to the town in an official capacity before they travelled to Malta. Christopher Mages of Penhill Drive, Swindon, Christopher Freakes of Avebury Street, Penhill, Rodney Martin, of Purton and James Whitehead of Stratton St Margaret visited on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh Royal Regiment Miniature Tattoo in which they took part.

1972: Marlborough Youth and Community worker, Mrs Mary Charnock, started as youth tutor at the new comprehensive school in Wootton Bassett. She was in Marlborough for two years and started the new youth centre, a pre-school play group and summer holiday play schemes with more than 300 children.

1972: Swindon was to provide 20 council houses for Uganda Asians it was announced after a special meeting of the town’s Housing Committee. Coun Miss Mavis Read committee chairman refused to say if there was any opposition.

The press were excluded from the meeting. The council planned for 20 families to move in within three months. The news was welcomed by the Swindon Community Relations Officer Mr Andrew Lee.

THE WORLD

490BC: The original Marathon was won by a breathless messenger who ran 24 miles from the scene of the Battle of Marathon to the city of Athens. “Rejoice, we conquer,” he gasped - then dropped dead.

929: King Wenceslaus of Bohemia, Good King Wenceslas of the Christmas carol, was murdered by his younger brother, Boleslaw.

1573: Caravaggio, Italian painter, was born in Italy.

1685: Judge Jeffreys was appointed Lord Chancellor of England.

1745: God Save The King was first performed at Drury Lane Theatre, arranged by Thomas Arne.

1865: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson qualified to become Britain’s first practising woman doctor.

1923: The Radio Times was first published.

1964: Harpo Marx, the silent one who chased girls and played the harp, died aged 75.

1978: Pope John Paul I died after only 33 days as Pontiff.

1991: Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, died aged 65. He invented an entirely new sound which became known as “cool” jazz.

2017: Physiotherapists expressed concern that online shopping is ruining people’s muscles, as they fail to carry home their own groceries.

BIRTHDAYS

Sir Jeremy Isaacs, TV producer and former general director of the Royal Opera House, 86; Brigitte Bardot, actress and animal rights activist, 84; Helen Shapiro, singer, 72; Jon Snow, journalist, 71; Jennifer Rush, singer, 58; Janeane Garofalo, actress and comedian, 54; Mira Sorvino, actress, 51; Mika Hakkinen, former racing driver, 50; Carre Otis, model and actress, 50; Naomi Watts, actress, 50; Hilary Duff, actress and singer, 31.