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 Monday, 13 October 2008 |
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Britain Calling - Dec 2005 |
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Written by Donna Wales for Visit Britain
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Tuesday, 27 December 2005 |
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Britain Calling December 2005
STRAW BEAR CUSTOM REVIVED NEAR CAMBRIDGE
One of England's more unusual customs takes place this winter, north of the university city of Cambridge. The town of Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire is one of the last towns in England to hold a Straw Bear Festival (January 13-15) - a custom relating to fertility, to encourage crops to grow in the spring. The bear -actually a man covered in straw - is the focus of a parade attended by a host of dancers and musicians, including traditional morris dancers. These parades date from pagan times and were common during the 19th century: a familiar sight on Plough Monday, the first Monday after January 6. Whittlesey's celebration died out for 70 years but has been revived. It is a colourful sight, with more than 200 dancers expected, and pubs along the route are sure to be busy.
Website: www.strawbear.org.uk
CRIME WRITERS FOLLOW AGATHA TO YORKSHIRE
The Yorkshire hotel to where author Agatha Christie dramatically ?disappeared' in 1926 will host a major crime writing festival next summer. Christie - 2006 is the 30th anniversary of her death - would also approve that such luminaries as P.D. James, Ian Rankin and Martina Cole are confirmed to appear at this, Europe's largest event of its kind: Theakston's Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival (July 20-23). Agatha Christie was discovered at the spa town's Old Swan Hotel after a nationwide hunt by the media: her disappearance was never fully explained. The hotel, considered by some to be the spiritual heart of crime writing, is undergoing a £4 million refurbishment, to be completed by the spring in time for the event.
It is expected to attract enthusiasts from around the world and weekend packages are already being booked. Harrogate is an attractive floral spa resort close to the Yorkshire Dales: Sherlock Holmes' creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was another regular visitor.
Christie (1890-1976) was born in Torquay, Devon and was the best-selling mystery author of her time, writing 93 books, many translated into more than a hundred languages. She also wrote the longest running play in modern theatre, "The Mousetrap".
Website: www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime
SHOWPIECE GLASGOW MUSEUM TO REOPEN
One of Britain's most important museums reopens in summer 2006 following a three-year, £28 million revamp which will turn it into one of the most advanced in the country. Since its opening in 1901, Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has been recognised as internationally significant, holding fantastic pieces of arms and armour and an outstanding collection of British and European art. Among the 8,000 exhibits in the refurbished museum will be several ?new' ones, including a Salvador Dali painting, Christ of St. John of the Cross; a World War Two Spitfire fighter from RAF City of Glasgow Squadron and a loan of Egyptian treasures from the British Museum. Among the galleries' 21 themes will be Scottish Art; Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style; Scottish Identity in Art; Scotland's Wildlife; Scotland's First Peoples and Glasgow and the World (the city, with its grand Victorian buildings of which the Kelvingrove is one, was once known as second city of the British Empire). Admission to the gallery will be free.
Website: www.glasgowmuseums.com
NEW TEA-TIME LONDON VENUES
Tea drinking has been an important part of English life for centuries. Henry James famously declared: "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony know as afternoon tea." London has seen a resurgence of tea drinking, accompanied by some stylish new places in which to partake of the infusion of your choice.
l Knightsbridge department store Harrods has opened a Parisian style tea-room, Laudurée, serving a selection of fine teas, intricate cakes, pastries and 20 flavours of macaroons, from 8 a.m. until 11.30 p.m. as part of the store's new late night shopping and dining experience. The gastronomic menu includes Omelette Laudurée, tartare of salmon and a variety of ice-creams and petits fours.
l Mayfair-based Indian restaurant Chor Bizarre has opened an Indian tea bar, Chai Bazaar, downstairs. Customers can enjoy 30 types of tea, including specialist varieties such as Kashmiri Kehwa and Masala and ?designer teas' blended with fruit juices or alcohol. Enjoy Indian high tea for £8.50 per person (11.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.) in a bazaar-like setting, decorated with kettles, samovars and urns. 16 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4HW.
CASTLE SETTING FOR MEDIEVAL SPECTACULAR
An English castle that was setting for William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is to host Britain's largest and most spectacular mediaeval festival in summer 2006. Over two weekends (July 22-23 and 29-30), Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire will echo to the sound of clashing swords and poetic minstrels.
The event, called simply "Joust", features a daily programme of revelry including a castle siege, jousting, cannon, falconry and archery displays and competitions. Jesters, arts and crafts traders, and live performances from singing group the Mediaeval Baebes vie for attention with wandering minstrels, period dance troupes and actors. Visitors will be encouraged to eat, drink and be merry with hearty food and entertainment. The festival ticket (£13 adult, £6 child) also gains entry to Berkeley Castle, which dates from 1153 and was scene of the murder of one of the Kings of England..
Website: www.joust.info
ROYAL ASCOT AND GOLF OPEN RETURN TO HISTORIC VENUES
Two of Britain's important sporting events are returning to famous venues in England and Scotland in 2006. One of the main events of the English summer season - Royal Ascot - will be back at its Berkshire home in June (20-24) following a £185m redevelopment of the track and grandstand. The Royal Meeting - which was held outside of Ascot for the first time in its 300-year history in 2005 at York Racecourse - will be a showcase for the new straight mile surface.
The new grandstand will provide a more open approach to racegoing and a fitting backdrop for the pageantry, stylish fashion and world class racing that Ascot is famous.
Website: www.ascot.co.uk
Golf legend Tom Watson will defend his title as Senior British Open Champion when the tournament returns to Turnberry in 2006 (July 27-30). The Westin Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, in the west of Scotland, celebrates its centenary year by hosting the event on its Ailsa course which has spectacular views across the Irish Sea and the Mull of Kintyre. Website: www.westin.com/turnberry
DA VINCI 'ON TOUR' FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH'S 80TH
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her 80th birthday in 2006 and to mark the event, ten of the world's most important drawings by Leonardo da Vinci will travel to museums and galleries across the country. The drawings are from the Royal Collection and are preserved in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. This exhibition demonstrates all the techniques of drawing that Leonardo used - metalpoint, pen and ink, brush and ink and red and black chalks. It also shows the the huge scope of his interests including studies for painting, sculpture and architecture, researches into anatomy, studies of botany, designs for a great canal to bypass the river Arno and a light hearted sheet of picture puzzles.
Ten Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci: An Exhibition to Celebrate the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen will be shown at four venues:
· Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter (March 18- June 3)
· Aberdeen Art Gallery (June 14-Aug.28)
· Leeds City Art Gallery (Sept. 7-Nov.19)
· Cardiff National Museum and Art Gallery (Nov.25-Feb. 2007)
ESCAPE TO UTOPIA SPA IN SUSSEX
Pools with stone columns and domed ceilings, monsoon showers, relaxation rooms and a Spa Garden with hot tub are just some of the features visitors to a new spa at Alexander House can enjoy. Utopia Spa will open in January and is situated within the 17th century country house hotel in West Sussex, 45 minutes from central London and close to Gatwick Airport. The spa will offer over 50 treatments many of which are unique signature therapies using Utopia Zing products, a range of natural and organic products developed exclusively for Alexander Hotels. Guests can use the spa facilities which include a Hydra Therapy Pool, sauna, steam room and Techno Gym Equipment in a one day package or a ?Spa Escape' which includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner (from £135). Alexander House is a three red star hotel with 18 individually furnished rooms and 170 acres of gardens and parkland.
Website: www.alexanderhotels.co.uk
IN BRIEF...
Farmhouse breakfasts: Farmers' markets, shops and tea rooms throughout the country will be celebrating Farmhouse Breakfast Week this winter (January 22-28). Now in its seventh year, the week aims to promote Britain's regional produce, particularly at breakfast, ?the most important meal of the day'. Nine hundred events were held last year, including a tastiest sausage competition. Website: www.hgca.com/breakfast.
London's beach: London's South Bank, near the London Eye, will host the city's first ?urban beach' next summer, along with a 1,000-seat open-air cinema, beach bar, barbeques, café, market stalls and sports zones. Back Row Events and the South Bank Centre have been developing the idea for 14 months, and it has been given the go-ahead by Lambeth Council. The attractions will operate for eight weeks between July and September.
Scottish whisky gathering: A global summit on the subject of whisky will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland next spring. The trade-only World Whiskies Conference (April 20-21) is expected to attract the industry's leaders from many countries.
Website: www.whiskyconference.com
Academic accommodation: A new on-line system for checking availability and booking good-value accommodation in academic venues around the country has been started by Venuemasters. Locations range from Edinburgh to London, where single rooms cost from £14 per night.
Website: www.venuemasters.co.uk/holiday_travelstay.asp
Chester food fest: Chester in North-West England will host one of the biggest food festivals in the UK next spring. The Chester Food and Drink Festival (April 12-22) is a community event featuring fare from all over the region. Last year there were 64 producers selling cheese, honey, bread, cereals, pies, meat, fish, beer, wine and liqueurs.
Website: www.chesterfoodanddrink.com
Ceilidh culture: Scottish music, song, poetry and dance will be celebrated by performers from around the world in an Edinburgh festival next spring. The Ceilidh Culture event (April 1-30, provisional dates) has become a favourite in the music calendar, with performers from several countries.
Website: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk
For all information on touring in Britain phone 1300 858589 or visit the website on www.visitbritain.com.au
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 April 2006 )
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