Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
Things to do in the UK in May 2008
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Study, work or travel in the UK. British
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Things to do in the UK in May 2008
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MAY
2008
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Rapeseed field (farmed for its oil)
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| Thu 1 May | May Day: International Workers' Day, UK May Day is traditionally a day for demonstrations by workers and by people who are protesting against the current social system (similar events occur in many countries). This choice of date is related to an event in the US on May 1st 1886: there was a general strike in Chicago on this day which ended in rioting, after which six people were executed. This day is not a public holiday in the UK - there is a "May Day" holiday on the following Monday. An organised march will take place in central London, including a mixture of trade unions and various groups protesting about issues such as the environment, war / the arms trade, and capitalism. |
| Thu 1 May | Local elections, England There are local elections today in some parts of England. British, Commonwealth or EU citizens who live in these areas, are over 18 and have registered can vote. See: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk In London there are elections for the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly. For information about the London elections, see: http://www.londonelects.co.uk [Boris Johnson, the Conservative candidate, was elected Mayor of London; Labour did badly in the local elections: the shares of the vote were Conservatives 44%, Liberal Democrats 25%, Labour 24%] |
| Sat 3 May - Sun 25 May |
Brighton Festival, Brighton A 3-week international festival of music, theatre, dance, literature and arts events in Brighton. This is one of the largest events of this kind in England. See: http://www.brightonfestival.org At the same time there is a lively "fringe" festival. See: http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk * Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/Brighton-Festival |
 Brighton Festival: one of the temporary venues |
 Brighton Festival: children's parade |
| Sat 3 May | 2,000 Guineas, Newmarket The first "classic" race of this year's flat horse racing season. The race is in Newmarket (near Cambridge). The 2,000 Guineas is for 3-year old colts (male horses) and is shown on television on Channel 4 in the late afternoon. See: http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk. The winner of this race was the horse HenryTheNavigator (odds: 11-1), ridden by the Irish jockey Tim Murtagh. * Horse racing in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse |
| Sun 4 May | Vaisakhi on the Square, London Free celebrations of the Sikh New Year in London's Trafalgar Square, between 11:30am and 5pm (nearest Tube: Charing Cross; map). The afternoon will include performances of traditional and modern Asian music and dance, including UK Asian Music Awards newcomer award winner H-Dhami, R&B artist Jay Sean and vocalist Alyssia. * Photos of this event: Ideas/Album/Vaisakhi |
| Sun 4 May | 1,000 Guineas, Newmarket The second "classic" race of this year's flat horse racing season. The race is in Newmarket (near Cambridge). The 1,000 Guineas is for 3-year old fillies (female horses). The race is shown on television on Channel 4 in the late afternoon. See: http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk. * Information about horse racing in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse |
| Sun 4 May | A1GP, Kent The British race in this year's A1 Grand Prix season, at Brands Hatch in Kent. Drivers use similar racing cars and the teams are based on nationality. Qualifying races are on Saturday, and the main race is on Sunday afternoon. See: http://www.a1gp.com * Motor sports: Life/Sport/Motor |
| Mon 5 May | May Day bank holiday, UK A public holiday in the UK. In some towns and villages across England there will be traditional celebration in a park, with Morris dancing or children dancing around a Maypole. |
| Mon 5 May | May Morning, Oxford There are traditional celebrations in the morning in Oxford. This starts at 6 o'clock in the morning with choir-singing in Magdalen Tower - large crowds gather outside to watch. There is Morris dancing during the rest of the morning in the area around Radcliffe Square. * Pictures of Oxford: Travel/Tours/England/Oxford |
| Mon 5 May | Sweeps Festival, Rochester May Day is celebrated in Rochester (in Kent). Festivities include Morris dancing in the streets, storytelling in the Charles Dickens Centre, and a funfair in the castle grounds. There is a procession through the streets, including people dressed as chimney sweeps (the start of summer was always the busiest time for people to clean their chimneys). * Photos of Rochester: Travel/Tours/England/Rochester |
| Mon 5 May | Jack-in-the-Green, Hastings Traditional May Day celebrations in Hastings. The Jack is released from the Fishermen's Museum, from where there is a procession through the streets to Hastings Castle. Following Jack are Morris dancers, Giants and Bogies. Later in the afternoon Jack is killed, and the Spirit of Summer is released. For further information, see: http://www.hastingsjack.co.uk. * Photos of this event: Ideas/Album/JackInTheGreen |
 Jack-in-the-Green: local giants outside the fishing huts |
 Jack-in-the-Green: celebrations in Hastings Castle |
| Thu 8 May - Sun 11 May |
Living Crafts Fair, Hatfield The largest crafts fair in Europe, organised by Living Crafts. Hundreds of Britain's top designers and craftspeople sell their products, and many also give demonstrations. It takes place at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire (see: http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk ; map): the house is a short walk from Hatfield train station, which is about a 20 minute journey from London King's Cross train station. There is an entry charge. It is also possible to pay to see the house, which is where Queen Elizabeth the First spent much of her life, and to walk around the extensive gardens. For further information, see: http://www.livingcrafts.co.uk/index.htm. |
 Living Crafts Fair: spinner ... |
 ... glassblower ... |
 ... and blacksmith |
| Sat 10 May | Westminster Day of Dance, London (second Saturday in May) Traditional Morris dancing in various locations across Westminster in London. For details of times and locations, see: hhttp://www.westminstermorris.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=37 * Photos of Morris dancing: Ideas/Album/MorrisDancing |
| Sun 11 May | Pentecost (Whit Sunday) Seven weeks after Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the time when, according to the Bible, the Holy Spirit came down to the apostles: this represents the beginning of the Christian church. Wind, flames and a dove are symbols of the Holy Spirit. Special hymns are sung during services, and church ministers often wear robes containing red (the colour of flames) |
| Sun 11 May | Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, London Punch and Judy shows and related events, held in the gardens of St Paul's Church, Bedford Street, London WC2 (near Covent Garden, Charing Cross or Leicester Square underground stations; see: map). At 11.30am there is a procession around the neighbourhood of Covent Garden starting at the church garden. From 12 noon to 5:30pm there are Punch and Judy shows, other puppet shows and workshops, folk music and dancing, clowns and jugglers (this is a free, family-friendly event). Note that in 2008 there is not the usual Puppet Service in St Paul's Church because today is Pentecost (there is a Mass for Pentecost in the church starting at 11am). See: http://www.alternativearts.co.uk/events. * Photos from the event: Ideas/Album/MayFayre |
 Day of Dance: Morris dancing in Westminster |
 Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival: Punch & Judy show |
| Wed 14 May | From Student to Worker, London Presentation and group advice session about working in the UK, for international students in London. Tickets for this event must be bought in advance (cost: £20). It is from 6-9pm at London South Bank University (nearest Tube: Elephant and Castle). For details and to order your ticket, see: http://www.studentadvice.org.uk. * Brochure for international students about working in the UK: http://www.educationuk.org/downloads/work_in_uk.pdf |
| Wed 14 May | UEFA Cup Final, Manchester Rangers (from Glasgow, Scotland) play Zenit (from St Petersburg, Russia) in the final of the UEFA Cup football competition. The kickoff is at 7:45pm. The match is shown live on ITV1. [Zenit won 2-0] |
| Fri 16 May - Sun 18 May |
Positively Poland, London Celebration of Polish culture at Olympia Two exhibition hall. See: http://www.positivelypoland.com |
| Sat 17 May | FA Cup Final, London The FA Cup Final is the last game of a knockout competition between football clubs in England and Wales. You can watch the game live on BBC1, or listen to it online or on the radio on Radio 5 Live. Note that it is very difficult to obtain tickets for this event. The game will be played in Wembley Stadium in London. The kick-off is at 3pm. Highlights of the game are shown on BBC television in the late evening. For details see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/facup or: http://www.thefa.com. In 2008 the final will be between Portsmouth and Cardiff City [ Portsmouth won 1-0 ] * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
 FA Cup Final: Fans make their way to Wembley Stadium |
 FA Cup Final: The Royal Standard flies if one of the royal family is at the game |
| Tue 20 May - Sat 24 May |
Chelsea Flower Show, London A famous flower show in London. There are TV programmes about the show on BBC television each day this week. Entry on Monday is only by special invitation, and Tuesday/Wednesady are only for RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) members. The entrance is on Eastern Avenue, which is close to the northern end of Royal Hospital Road (near Sloane Square underground station, not far from London Victoria station; see map). Exhibited plants are sold on the last day. For further details of the show, see: http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea or http://www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea. * Photographs from the event: Ideas/Album/ChelseaFlowerShow |
 Chelsea Flower Show: Flowers ... |
 ... and show gardens |
| Tue 20 May | Webchat for young online entrepreneurs Tim Campbell, the winner of the first series of the TV competition "The Apprentice", will be giving tips and advice for young people on starting your own online business. To watch the webchat, which starts at 12:30pm, see: http://www.webchats.tv/chats/Business/beyourownboss. You can also use this link to submit a question in advance. * Information for entrepreneurs: Work/Entrepreneur |
 Tim Campbell webchat |
| Wed 21 May | Champions League Final, Moscow (Russia) The final of the Champions League (a knockout football competition between top European clubs). The 2008 final will be Manchester United v Chelsea. Kick-off is at 7:45pm. The match is shown live on ITV1 [ Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties; the game was 1-1 after extra time ] For further information, see: http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL or http://www.itv-football.co.uk/champions_league * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Sat 24 May | Eurovision Song Contest, Belgrade (Serbia) An annual European song competition. The contest is shown on BBC1 in the evening, and you can hear it on BBC Radio 2. The UK entry is "Even If", sung by Andy Abraham. The official website for the event is: http://www.eurovision.tv. * Information about pop music in the UK: Britain/Music/Pop |
| Sat 24 May | Scottish Cup Final, UK The final of this year's knock-out competition between Scottish football clubs, organised by the Scottish FA. For details see: http://www.scottishfa.co.uk. [ In 2007 the Scottish Cup was between Celtic and Dunfermline Athletic, and Celtic won 1-0 ] * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Mon 26 May | Late May Bank Holiday, UK A public holiday in the UK. |
| Mon 26 May | Cheese Rolling, Gloucestershire A strange (and dangerous) local tradition on Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire (near Gloucester; map). Competitors chase a large round Double Gloucester cheese which is rolled down a very steep hill. Companies offering a tour from London to this event include Pillow Tours: http://www.pillow.co.uk See: http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk or http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/entertainment/festivals/cheese_rolling |
| Mon 26 May | Africa Day on Trafalgar Square, London Free celebration of African culture: music, entertainment and stalls in Trafalgar Square. Note that the actual day for Africa Day is on 25 May each year. See: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/africaday |
| Mon 26 May | Kingston Green Fair, Greater London An annual outdoor fair with a wide variety of stalls and entertainment, suitable both for adults and children. This event has a "green" policy: it aims to be environmentally friendly and sells only fair trade / ethical / vegetarian products. The event is not-for-profit, but there is an entry charge to cover the costs. It takes place from 11am-8pm at Canbury Gardens Riverside (nearest train station: Kingston, with regular services from Waterloo/Clapham Junction/Wimbledon; nearest Tube: Morden, Richmond or Wimbledon, from each of which there are bus services to Kingston; map). Kingston is in zone 6: you may wish to buy a paper 1-day zones 1-6 travelcard if you live in London and wish to use the Tube to Waterloo and the train from there to Kingston (Oystercards are not accepted on this train line, but paper travelcards can be used). See: http://www.kingstongreenfair.org.uk |
| Sat 31 May | Major General's Review of Trooping the Colour, London The first of two rehearsals for the Trooping the Colour ceremony (which is 2 weeks later). For details of how to apply for a ticket earlier in the year, see: Ideas/Events/January. If you don't have tickets, you can still go and stand in front of Buckingham Palace or along The Mall to watch the Household Guards as they arrive (between 10am and 11am) and as they leave (between 12 noon and 12:30pm), and you may be able to see and hear the main ceremony from the parts of St James's Park on either side of the Guards Memorial (close to Horseguards Parade) between 11am and 12 noon. Unlike the full Trooping the Colour ceremony, the Queen does not attend the rehearsal, and there is no flypast or balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace. * Photos from Trooping the Colour: Ideas/Album/TroopingTheColour. |
 The Major General |
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