HISTORY PROJECT

May 29 marks Oak Apple Day, which was celebrated widely from 1660 and is still observed in some English towns today. It marks the return of the monarchy, with people wearing oak apples in celebration of the oak that gave refuge to the future Charles II as he hid from the Roundheads nine years before the Restoration. Oak apples* aren’t always easy to find, so children instead wore oak leaves or acorns in their buttonholes.

Whether you’re a royalist or not, the mighty oak is a fine thing to celebrate at this time of year. So here’s how to make your own oak leaf garland to hang on your door, across your fireplace or wherever you wish. God save the King! And the Oak! you will need:

Dark and light green card A large eyed needle or bodkin and decorative string 1 Make a template for an oak leaf. You can print one off the internet, go freehand or find an oak leaf you fancy the shape and size of and draw around it. 2 Use your template to cut oak leaves from your green card. At least 20 looks good but do as many as you like to make your garland longer or bushier. 3 Take your threaded bodkin needle and carefully pierce it through the ‘stem’ of each oak leaf. You can either space them out evenly or go for a bushier more organic type garland that might better hide future monarchs among its boughs.