The Month Ahead – January 2019

Welcome to January's The Month Ahead. A new year and plenty of new things to do this month. It may be thought that January is a quiet month but this certainly isn't the case. Let's have a look at some of the traditional feasts and festivals, events and exhibitions that are happening around the UK this month.

Until 3^rd February - Star of Bethlehem, Chichester Cathedral. See the star above the nave which is created by computer coding.

1^st January - New Year's Day Classic Gathering, Brooklands Museum, Surrey. Over 1,000 cars are expected to gather to start the year in classic style. Enjoy the day with live music and a winter barbecue.

1^st January - New Year's Day Swim, Gosport, Hampshire. Watch the hardy souls who take a dip in the chilly waters of the Solent to raise money for charity.

1^st January - Lincolnshire Wolds Railway – Start the day with a full English breakfast at the Singing Kettle Buffet at Ludborough Station before a ride on one of the steam trains.

6^th January - Dyrham Wassail, Gloucestershire. Scare away the spirits and help to encourage a good pear harvest for the coming in this ancient tradition on the National Trust estate.

12^th January - Derbyshire Archaeology Day, Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield. A range of talks throughout the day looking at the archaeology to be found around Derbyshire.

18^th to 20^th January - 40th Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival, Cambridgeshire. The countryside tradition continues with the annual parade and events following the return to work for farm labourers on Plough Monday.

19^th January - Paint Starry Night over Manchester. The Seven Bro7hers Brewery in Salford is turned into an art studio inspired by Van Gough's famous painting.

19^th January - Be a Chorister!, St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Boys added 7 and over are invited to test their singing voice with a series of activities and games.

25^th to 26^th January - Burns Night in Edinburgh. Celebrate the birthday of the poet Robert Burns throughout Scotland's capital city in either the traditional manner with a supper, a ceilidh or alternatively a comedy night.

26^th January - Battle of Nantwich. Each year Holly Holy Day is celebrated to commemorate the lifting of the Siege of Nantwich. See living history displays with battle re-enactments and a hog roast.

26^th to 28^th January - RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Either watch in your own garden or find an organised event near you. It only takes an hour to take part and count the number and variety of birds that you see.

26^th January to 3^rd March - The Great Brick Safari, RHS Wisley, Surrey. Over 40 Lego animals and plants are hidden around the garden and The Glasshouse. Find out fascinating facts about each one you find.

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.