Magicats – Witches cats

Magicats – Why do witches have cats? The popular image of a witch wearing a pointed hat and riding through the Halloween sky just wouldn’t be complete without a graceful black cat sharing her broomstick. But why do witches always have a cat? Why has this animal come to symbolise magic and witchcraft? Home is […]

The Pendle Witches

The Witches of Pendle Hill Witches in fiction are such fun. We enjoy hating the nasty ones, and laugh when their magic fails and they disappear in a puff of smoke: POUF! But it was no fun at all, in the past, when real people were accused of witchcraft. With their charms, remedies, spells and […]

Titanic’s Sister Ships

SISTER ACT Titanic’s sister ships

Titanic’s sister ships The Titanic, because of its tragic demise after hitting an iceberg in 1912, has become an icon in the history of seafaring but, did you know that she had two equally gigantic sister ships belonging to the White Star Line which also had their share of misfortune? RMS Olympic First to float […]

Famous Shipwrecks

Sunken treasure – the oldest shipwreck in the world Sailing around the Mediterranean in the ancient world was very dangerous. Sailors risked their lives every time they set sail. Sometimes ships hit hidden rocks or sank in storms. The oldest shipwreck in the world is one of these ships, and it was piled high with […]

Top 5 Tips for Starting Secondary School

Starting School top tips

Top 5 Tips for Starting Secondary School Starting secondary school is an exciting time, marking a new chapter filled with loads of opportunities and adventures. BUT, it can also be feel really scary. Here, AQUILAnaut Maisie shares her top 5 tips to make the transition feel tip-top!  Getting lost When I started secondary school, getting […]

Amazing facts for kids about the Olympic Games 

Olympic Games Facts for kids

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 20 Amazing Facts about the Olympic Games 1. Exertion for Zeus The original Olympic games started back in Greece in about 770 BCE and were part of a festival to celebrate Zeus, the Greek’s chief god. The main event was a running race but later wrestling, boxing and throwing events were […]

Shark Facts with AQUILA Magazine

Shark facts for kids

5 Fun facts about sharks! FUN FACT NO. 1 Did you know there are over 1000 species of elasmobranchs – that’s sharks, skates and rays to their friends. Found all over the world from the depths of the oceans to golf courses! Yes, really! In the 1990s, floods in Queensland, Australia swept a group of bull sharks […]

A kid’s guide to the general election

general election

Kid’s Guide to the General Election POLITICS A-PLENTY! Dunno if you’ve heard, but the UK will be having a General Election on 4 July 2024. (Heard? Between that and the Euros you’d think that was ALL that was going on! Ed) Politics can seem overwhelming and probably even a bit boring at times (isn’t it […]

Victorian Street Food

Victorian Street Food

Victorian Street Food Imagine walking through your local fair or market. The smells from all the food stalls are making you hungry. What would you choose? Pancakes with chocolate spread; fluffy, sugary donuts; or something salty and savoury like burgers or hotdogs? Perhaps a tray of hot chilli, or aromatic curry and rice? For many […]

Food Politics

History of the politics of food

Food Politics Food has enormous power. The divide between those who have an abundance of things to eat and those who are desperately hungry has caused oppression, strikes and even revolution.  Bread and circuses  In ancient Rome, the phrase panem et circenses (bread and circuses) referred to the provision of free food and entertainment to […]