The Month Ahead - February 2018

Welcome to February's The Month Ahead. With Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year falling this month there's a distinct feel of the colour red about this month. Don't forget to get those pancakes flipping on Shrove Tuesday! Let's have a look at some of the traditional feasts and festivals, events and exhibitions that are happening around the UK this month.

Throughout February - National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival. Across England private and public gardens open their gates to the public to raise money while showing off their snowdrop displays.

3^rd February – St. Blaise's Feast Day, St. Blazey, Cornwall. With the Cornish town having a similar name to the patron saint of sore throats and the woollen industry a special parade takes place each year. Look out for the lantern in the shape of a ram before finishing with a church service.

5^th February – St. Ives Feast Day, Cornwall. This tradition dates back to 1434 with the consecration of the church of St. Eia. This year the ancient game of Hurling the Silver Ball will be taking place.

8^th-11^th February - Spectra: Festival of Light, Aberdeen. The Granite City is lit up again with a stunning light display. New for this year is a music programme.

12^th-18^th February – Jorvik Viking Festival, York. Make Viking crafts, have a go at sword combat and meet the Viking army in the city centre.

13^th-14^th February - Royal Shrovetide Football, Ashbourne. The annual football match kicks off in the Derbyshire town on Shrove Tuesday and finishes the next day on Ash Wednesday. There should be plenty of room to spectate as the goals are three miles apart!

17^th-18^th February - Chinese New Year, Manchester. The Year of the Dog is welcomed with a dragon parade, lion dancing and martial arts displays.

22^nd February - 1^st March – Weston Literature Festival, Weston-super-Mare. The week long festival by the sea features bestselling author Jeffrey Archer, panel discussion, workshops and children's trail.

23^rd-25^th February - Wakefield Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival. The special forced early rhubarb is shown off along with other Yorkshire food and drink.

26^th February - 11^th March - Fairtrade Fortnight. Look out for community events as Fairtrade products and their producers become the focus of the two weeks.

All events are subject to change. Please check with the organisers before travelling.

If you are interested about advertising your event on The Month Ahead please contact me at jibberjabberuk@gmail.com.