1st
May
May Day
May Day, a call for help, a pagan festival of Spring, a Roman import or a date in the socialist diary? Find out here
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English Diary
British Customs, British Culture and British Traditions in May
1st
May
On This Day
On this day in 1707, the United Kingdom of Great Britain was formed when Scotland and England were joined together under a common flag, the Grand Union Flag aka the Union Jack. The Scottish legal system remained intact but the Scottish parliament was abolished and the members merged into the British parliament in London. I wonder what will happen to the flag if Scotland votes for Independence. Learn More
29th
April to
1st
May
Rochester Sweeps Festival
No, this isn't sweeps as in horse racing, this is real sweeps (people who clean the chimney). Learn More
1st May
Early Spring Bank Holiday aka May Day in the UK
The UK's May Day, but as with most bank holidays in the UK, the day is moved to the nearest Monday. After all we wouldn't want commerce to be disrupted. Fear not though, every shop will still be open. Learn More
22nd
May
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, was born on 22 May 1859. He was a Scottish author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes. His other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction. He died on 7 July 1930. Learn More
23rd
May to
27th
May
Chelsea Flower Show
In an English country garden. From the sublime to the ridiculous, how seriously we Brits take our gardening can be seen on this RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) web site. This year they are hoping to "Green Grey Britain"! Learn More
25th
May to
4th
June
The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts
This is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales, for ten days from May to June. It started in 1988, and went from strength to strength, gaining international acclaim. The festival was described by Bill Clinton in 2001 as "The Woodstock of the mind".
29th
May
Oak Apple Day
This day was the turning point for the monarchy in 1660. King Charles II escaped being captured by the roundheads by hiding in an oak tree after the battle of Worchester, to return on May 29th. Learn More
May to
June
Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne is a 700-year old country house and opera house near Lewes in East Sussex, England. Since 1934 it has been the venue of the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The festival is regarded as part of the London/English summer season. Performances, which start in the afternoon, enable Londoners to leave town after lunch, and finish in time for them to catch the last train back. A long interval allows opera-goers the opportunity for picnic dinners on the extensive lawns or in one of the restaurants in the grounds.
May Onwards
Well Dressing
In order to celebrate the springs that have provided fresh water for centuries, well dressing is an ancient art carried out in the county of Derbyshire, especially the Peak District. Every year from around May to August wells in the area are beautifully decorated with natural objects (usually petals from flowers) to form elaborate pictures, often nowadays with a religious theme.
The origins of well dressing are something of a mystery, but it is thought to predate Roman times. It was most likely a form of sacrifice to give thanks for the supply of water supplied by wells in the community. Learn More
29th
May
Spring Bank Holiday
Each Spring Bank Holiday there is a plethora of events to take part in. Just be warned, the traffic can be abysmal.
The Westward Ho! Potwalloping Festival
The bank holiday weekend sees dedicated volunteers from the community gather together for a 3 day festival of potwalloping. Potwalloping is a tradition that dates back to the reign of Edward VII where everyone gets together to replace the rocks and pebbles, which protect on the historic ridge around Westward Ho. The 3 days include music, sports, stalls and other events, not just rock carrying.
Hunting the Earl of Rone
You won't want to go down to the woods, at least not in Combe Martin, North Devon. Here people scour the forests for the whole weekend searching for the Irish Earl of Rone, (who is always caught on the Monday), once he's caught he is forced to ride backwards on a donkey and then tossed into the sea - poor bloke! Learn More
Woolsack Race
Every Spring Bank Holiday in Tetbury they hold the annual woolsack race (60lb of wool in a sack).
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