The Month Ahead – May 2019

Welcome to May's The Month Ahead. It's a double bank holiday weekend this month with one at the beginning and end of the month. Let's have a look at some of the traditional feasts and festivals, events and exhibitions that are happening around the UK this month.

1^st May - Padstow Obby Oss. This ancient May Day tradition continues in Cornwall with the dressing up of the hobby horse or 'Obby Oss'. The town will see floral displays and parades before ending with dancing round the maypole.

2^nd to 5^th May - Tour de Yorkshire. World class cycling returns to Yorkshire with four days of racing throughout the county. Stand by the roadside for free to cheer on the cyclists. Mark Cavendish has confirmed he will be competing in the men's event with reigning women's world time trial champion Annemiek van Vleuten will be in the women's event.

2^nd to 11^th May - Investec International Music Festival, Surrey. The towns of the Surrey Hills play host to world class music including the Philharmonia Orchestra and Radio 2 presenter and jazz singer Clare Teal with her band.

4^th to 6^th May - May Day Festival, Hever Castle. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn come to Kent as they take part in a traditional 16^th century Tudor May Day celebration. Have a go on the Maypole and meet the mythical Jack-in-the-Green.

4^th to 6^th May - Llandudno Transport Festival. The north Wales coast becomes the setting for all things Victorian and Edwardian in conjunction with a huge transport festival. Get set for displays of buses, tractors and commercial vehicles.

4^th to 1^st June - Belper Arts Festival. The heart of Derbyshire sees a variety of festivals which all together form the Belper Arts Festival. Check out the Arts Trail, Belper Open Houses, Short Play Festival and Voices of the Valley.

11^th to 12^th May - National Mills Weekend. Mills across the country will have special openings and events to celebrate the country's milling heritage. Look out for windmills and watermills that will be participating.

18^th to 19^th May - Tatton Park Country Fair. The arena will play host to the equestrian stunt team, birds of prey flying displays and animal shows. There will also be a selection of food and drink outlets and craft stalls.

21^st to 25^th May - RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The most famous flower in the world and a must for all gardening fans. Marvel at the range and variety of show gardens and then go shopping at the many trader stalls available.

25^th to 2^nd June - Amazed by Science, Cheshire. The north, south, east and west of Cheshire will see the first Amazed by Science festival. It's aimed at children and families to discover and celebrate science in its many glorious forms.

29^th to 30^th May - Suffolk Show. The Suffolk Showground near Ipswich is the location for this annual and very popular county show. See the best in farming and agriculture with tractors, diggers and cultivators. Enjoy luxury and unique shopping experiences and sample plenty of local food and drink.

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.