May

​

May 1   May Day/ Beltane-- Originally a celtic festival of fire, celebrating fertility and the return of summer,  its roots go back to ancient Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland.  Modern versions are becoming more popular, with some of the largest in Edinburgh, Thornborough in Yorkshire and Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire, where the traditional 30-foot Wicker Man is burned at sunset.  

             Puget Sound locals can enjoy the MossyBack Morris Men dancing at dawn at Gasworks Park to welcome summer. 

​

May 5-7  Sweeps Festival--Rochester, Kent--A traditional celebration of the arrival of warm weather, opening the season for the cleaning of dirty chimneys.  There is a procession and many other events and performances provide lots of activity and fun over the three days. Check it out HERE.  

​

May 5-7  Tulipfest--Camelgate, Spalding,  Lincolnshire--   A mix of entertainment, activities, tulip displays, local crafts and decorations,  Tulipfest carries on the tradition of the Spalding Flower Festival, which was discontinued in 2013.  Tulipfest is held at Springfields Festival Gardens.  Picnic on the grounds, or join the tea party.  

​

May 7  Early May bank holiday

​

May 24   200th Birthday of Queen Victoria-- "Discover the Real Victoria," Kensington Palace.  A new exhibition at Queen Victoria's birthplace, included in palace admission.

​

May 28  Spring bank holiday

 

June 

 

Jun 4     Lindfield Village Day-- Lindfield, West Sussex, one of the largest traditional events in Britain. On the Common you will find games, food stalls, live entertainment and The Grand Competition. Competitors' talents will be on display in a range of categories.  The Grand Procession arrives at 13:00-13:30. The theme of this year's procession is Transport, in honour of the railroad's arrival nearby in 1841. Details at: Lindfield Village Day

​

Jun 6      75th Anniversary of D-day    Read More

 

Jun 10    National Service of Thanksving-- St. Paul's Cathedral, London. This service begins the weekend of official celebrations of the Queen's 90th Birthday. BBC1 will broadcast it, starting at 11:00 AM BST. 

        The Cathedral is celebrating with the gift of a new anthem, "I Love All Beauteous Things," which will be sung at the service by the Cathedral Choir. The anthem was made available to choirs worldwide on St. Paul's website, where you can learn more.  

 

Jun 10    Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh's 95th Birthday--  The Prince has requested that his birthday be celebrated quietly in order that it not distract from his wife, the Queen's, birthday festivities. Philip is expected to attend the National Service of  Thanksgiving with Elizabeth, the royal family, and invited guests.

 

Jun 11-12   Bristol Festival of Nature--  The Bristol Natural History Consortium presents the UK's biggest free natural history event.  A weekend celebration of the natural world featuring hundreds of educational opportunities, including arts, lectures, hands-on events, tours, film screenings, a local produce market and entertainment. Info & the festival programme at: Festival of Nature.

​

Jun 11  The Queen's Official Birthday Observed-- UK & Many Members of  the Commonwealth.  Celebrations begin in London with The Trooping of the Colour on the Horse Guards Parade behind Whitehall.  It will be televised live in the UK on BBC1.  More about: Trooping The Colour

​

JUN 12   The Patron's Lunch-- on the Mall, London.  A not-for-profit extravaganza celebrating the Queen's patronage of over 600 charitable orgnizations. For this event, the climax of the weekend of celebrations, the Mall will be transformed into an enormous street party where 10,000 ticketed guests will enjoy lavish entertainment and an individual bespoke picnic hamper lunch worthy of the occasion.

       9000 of the £150 tickets were made available to the charitable organizations for which the Queen is Patron.  The charities were permitted to auction 40% of their tickets with the  proceeds going to the charities.  In February, the remaining 1000 tickets (+1000 remaining from the charities, for a total of 2000) were released for sale on a public ballot. Applicants could request no more  than 2 tickets; successful applicants were duly notified and could purchase their tickets online.  

      The general public can enjoy watching the proceedings on giant screens in St. James's Park and Green Park as well as on BBC1.

 

Jun 14-18   Royal Ascot-- Ascot, Berkshire. Made even more famous by the race scene in the musical "My Fair Lady," the Royal Ascot is the most-attended race meeting in Europe.  These days of thoroughbred horse racing and fashion--think hats!--are a highlight of the British social calendar.  If you will be attending, be sure to acquaint yourself  with the Dress Code, which is different for each of the enclosures. 

 

JUN 23-26  The Royal Highland Show-- Edinburgh, Scotland. A large agricultural show that attracts over 140,000 visitors. Highlights of the show include displays of over 5,000 animals, food and drink exhibits, a flower show and craft goods. The show is run by the Royal Highland and Agri-cultural Society of Scotland, a registered charity. The show offers educa-tional programmes, showcases the best in agriculture and food, and it is family-friendly, too!  Children under 16 are admitted free. The Animal Parade is always a hit with kids.  For adults, in addition to the many attractions, there are several bars located about the grounds.  Learn more: RHS Visitors.  

 

JUN 26   Swaton Vintage Day-- Swaton, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Since 1994, the day has grown from a Vintage Tractor show held to raise money for good causes to an internationally-known festival.  The highlight of the day will be the 11th World Eggthrowing Championships.  There will also be a classic car show, tea tent, live music crafts, charity stands, trade exhibitions, a dog show, children's games and rides. Last year, the festival raised £7980 for its causes and participaing charities raised an additional £2000.  Read more at: Swaton Vintage Day.