The Month Ahead – March 2017

Welcome to March's The Month Ahead. There's a change in the air this month with the start of spring. At the end of the month the days be lighter for longer when the clocks change. March also sees two national saints' days which are celebrated in very different ways! 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 March - Daffodil Festival, across England. The flower of the month is the daffodil. Various gardens will be opening especially the National Garden Scheme Daffodil Festival with proceeds going to charity.

1^st March – National St. David's Day Parade, Cardiff. Starting from the Cardiff City Hall at 12.30pm this free to watch event takes in Welsh heritage and culture.

2^nd March - World Book Day. It's not just about wearing a costume! World Book Day is a whole celebration of all literature. Join in with readings, performances and crafting.

4^th-6^th March – St. Piran's Day, Cornwall. The Patron Saint of Cornwall is celebrated in the south-west county on 5^th March. Redruth starts the celebrations on 4^th March with a festival and procession through the town. Truro, Falmouth and Perranporth have their own parades on 5^th March. It finishes in Bodmin on 6^th March with parade to St. Petroc's Church.

4^th-19^th March - Huddersfield Literature Festival. It's not the most well-known of literary festivals but this year's lineup is very impressive. The top-class authors include Ian Rankin, Woman's Hour presenter Jenni Murray and former MP Alan Johnson.

4^th-5^th March – Yorkshire Brass Band Championships – If you're in Huddersfield for the Literature Festival then stop by this music competition as brass bands from throughout the county compete for a place in the national final.

5^th March – The 10^th UK Wife Carrying Race, The Nower, Dorking, Surrey. As bizarre as it sounds this 380m race requires a man to carry his wife for the entire length of the course. The concept of a wife carrying race was introduced to the UK by the Vikings in the 8^th century. Entries are now closed but you can cheer on the competitors.

10^th-12^th March - Young Art East Anglia 2017, Aldeburgh. Throughout Suffolk over 55 schools have taken part in in this year's competition with the theme 'Out of this World'. The best 363 of the entries are on show at the Peter Pears Gallery with the £2 entry fee going towards Cancer Research UK.

17^th-19^th March – St. Patrick's Day, London. You don't have to visit Ireland to join in with the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The annual St. Patrick's Day events in London start on the day itself and culminate with the famous parade from Picadilly through to Whitehall via Trafalgar Square on Sunday 19^th March.

24^th March - Red Nose Day. Get silly for Comic Relief and help to raise lots of money for charity. You can simply buy a Red Nose for £1 or get involved in some of the many events up and down the country.

24^th-9^th April – Ideal Home Show, London. Now firmly at home itself at Olympia the Ideal Home Show has since 1908 been the place to see the latest fashions and innovations for everything connected to homes both inside and out.

26^th March – Mothering Sunday. Don't forget your mum this Mother's Day. If you fancy a day out the National Trust has a range of events going on at this properties around the country.

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.