Happy Ratcatchers Day!
Well, they say you learn something new every day – and I have to be honest no-one here is planning a party with cake, candles and presents to celebrate the 725th Ratcatchers day today.
It was a colleague that brought this to my attention yesterday, and she found out about it whilst doing a google search for the term rat catcher, since we are oft referred to as the Royal Ratcatcher Rentokil (due to the royal warrant previously held by the company).
Its celebrated (is that the right word?) on the 26th June, and also the 22nd July. Wow how exciting – it seems that just like the HM Queen’s birthday there is an official and an unofficial “day”. Its to commemorate the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin and according to Wikipedia there are two suggested dates because the Brothers Grimm say that on 26 June 1284 the Pied Piper led the children out of the town of Hamelin in Germany, while a poem by Robert Browning gives it as 22 July 1376.
Never heard of the poem if the truth be told, although I have heard about the story. We use modern techniques nowadays to rid rat infestations, I think you and I both know that a magic flute really wouldn’t solve the problem!
No idea what we should be doing to mark the occasion, anyone got any suggestions?
Brigitta:
How about if we mark the day every year with a challenge to some pest control technicians – the one who catches the most rats that day wins a…….(am thinking)……… flute! To entice more rats away from properties a la Pied Piper style – let’s see if it really works! Just a thought.
July 8, 2009, 3:38 pmActually the German town of Hamlin (Hameln in German)brands itself as the “Rattenfängerstadt” (Rat Catcher Town). Free open air plays act out the legend in the town’s main square from May to September. So, who would have thought it…..rats helping to bumper up the tourist trade – that’s a novelty!
Andy:
When Rentokil started in Germany back in the 1960’s one of the first things they did was target the municipal contract for rat control in Hamelin. They managed to agree a 10 year contract – we still have the original ornate scroll on display here at the Technical Centre, along with a couple of ‘bread rats’, which apparently is some form of pastry they make in the town.
So at one point Rentokil was the Royal Rat Catcher AND the Pied Piper of Hamelin!
August 13, 2009, 12:39 pmDanusia:
In case anyone wants to see a stage show version of the Pied Piper, the hip hop musical returns to the Barbican this Christmas for a second run – http://bit.ly/bB4nO
September 8, 2009, 8:19 am