English Diary

MAY

Exhibition: “All Too Human: Bacon, Freud and a Century of Painting Life”, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. A celebration of figurative painting from the last 100 years that includes rarely seen paintings by Freud and Bacon. The exhibition also features work by other influential artists such as as Frank Auerbach, Walter Sickert, David Blomberg and Paula Rego. To 27th August. Tel: 020 7887 8888; www.tate.org.uk .

London Craft Week, various venues, London. Chance to meet artists, designers and engineers and take part in workshops. To 13th. www.londoncraftweek.com . Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature, various venues, Fowey, Cornwall. Inspired by the celebrated author Daphne du Maurier, this festival includes talks, walks, debates, workshops, music events, interviews and competitions. To 19th. Tel: 01726 879500; www.foweyfestival.com . Museums at Night, various venues nationwide. Museums, libraries, galleries and heritage sites open their doors after hours. Across the country special events, talks and activities will be taking place including an evening of chocolate games at the Chocolate Museum in London; a murder mystery at the Museum of Richmond, Surrey and storytelling at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. To 19th. www.museumsatnight.org.uk . Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3 4SL. One of the world’s greatest flower shows, with exciting and innovative show gardens created by top designers, the Great Pavilion full of amazing exhibits, expert advice, new products and vibrant displays. Among this year’s new features are gardens that enhance health and wellbeing and gardens for urban spaces. To 26th. Tel: 0844 338 7502; www.rhs.org.uk . Edwardian Life at the Castle, Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG. Step back in time to the early 20th century when the Astor family were in residence. Discover their ‘rags to riches’ story and enjoy some old-fashioned family fun. To 3rd June; www.hevercastle.co.uk . Oak Apple Day, Membury, East Devon. Oak Apple Day was once a formal public holiday held to celebrate the restoration of the monarchy in May 1660. It is still held in various parts of the country including Membury. Villagers walk in procession with their King from the village shop to the church where Charles II reads a proclamation while Cromwell looks on. The traditional mistletoe bough is hung from the church. Starts 6.30pm.

JUNE

Keswick Mountain Festival, Crow Park, Keswick, Cumberland CA12 5DJ. A world-class sporting event that includes iconic walks, fun water activities and breathtaking climbs. With events to suit different ages and abilities as well as exciting music entertainment. To 10th. Tel: 03300 555 734; www. keswickmountainfestival.co.uk .

Trooping the Colour, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX. Her Majesty the Queen takes the Royal Salute to mark her official birthday. This year the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards will troop their Colour. Events begin at 10am approx. with the flypast at 1pm. www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk . Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London W1J 0BD. The world’s largest open submission contemporary art show. Held since 1769, the exhibition showcases diverse and exciting works of art in a variety of mediums and genres. To 19th August. Tel: 020 7300 800; www.royalacedemy.org.uk . Broadstairs Dickens Festival, various venue, Broadstairs, Kent. A celebration of the life and work of Charles Dickens who was a frequent visitor to the town between 1837 and 1859. Attractions include talks, demonstrations, performances, a Victorian banquet and an unforgettable Dickensian beach party. To 17th. Further details: www. broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk . Port of Brixham Trawler Race, Brixham, Devon TQ5 9TH. Popular charity event where large beamer trawlers and the smaller day boats and crabbers race circuits of Torbay. With fun, food and festivities on the quay. First race at 11am.

Royal Ascot, The Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7JX. Sport, pageantry and fashion in a glorious setting. To 23rd. www.ascot.co.uk .

Exhibition: “The Paston Treasure: Riches of the

Known World”, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3JU. Fascinating exhibition that focuses on a mysterious large 17th-century painting depicting a small fraction of the vast treasures owned by the famous Norfolk family, the Pastons. The exhibition features more than 130 of the objects featured in the painting that have been sourced from around the world. To 23rd September. Tel: 01603 495897; www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk .

JULY

Memorial Day, Battle of Britain Memorial (National Memorial to the Few), New Dover Road, Capel-le-ferne, near Folkestone, Kent CT18 7JJ. Annual Memorial Day Parade and Service. A flypast and display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a parade of standards and music from the RAF Central band provide a spectacular and moving tribute to ‘the Few’. Tel: 01303 249292; www. battleofbritainmemorial.org .

Sweet Pea Week, Easton Walled Gardens, Easton, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5AP. A wonderful sensory experience with hundreds of different coloured varieties in full bloom. The scent alone is worth a visit! To 8th. Tel: 01476 530063; info@eastonwalledgardens.co.uk .

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis

Championship, All England Tennis Club, Church Road, London SW19. World-famous tennis competition and a highlight of the summer sporting calendar. To 15th July. Tel: 020 8944 1066; www.wimbledon.com . Henley Royal Regatta, Henleyon-thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2LY. World-renowned rowing event dating back to 1839 and an important sporting and social occasion. To 8th July. Tel: 01491 572 572153; www.hrr.co.uk .

Captain Cook Festival, various venues, Whitby, Yorkshire. The town pushes the boat out to mark the 250th anniversary celebration of Captain Cook’s momentous first voyage to the South Seas. With a host of different events including access to two tall ships, trips on an authentic 40% size replica of Cook’s HM Bark Endeavour, cooking theatre, live music, sea shanties, maritime artwork and much more. To 8th. Tel: 01723 383636; www. discoveryorkshirecoast.com . Kent County Show, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF. Showcases the farming, countryside and rural life of “The Garden of England”. With plenty of animals, family fun, displays, local food and more than 400 exhibitors and trade stands. To 9th. Further details: info@kentshowground.co.uk .

Great Yorkshire Show, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8NZ. Britain’s premier agricultural show with demonstrations, exhibitions, competitive classes, cookery theatre, trade stands, fashion shows and exciting ring displays which this year feature Lorenzo’s thrilling bareback riding. To 12th. www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk . Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire G17 4RB. The world’s greatest military air show with both historic and modern aircraft and technology. This year marks the centenary of the RAF and as well as commemorating past achievements the future will also be celebrated. To 15th July. Tel: 0800 107 1940; www.airtattoo.com . BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP. The world’s largest classical music festival. To 8th September. Tel: 0845 401 5045; www.royalalberthall.com . Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, various venues, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Spectacular re-enactment of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury on part of the original battlefield. With living history camps, armour displays, medieval market, Grand Parade, beer tent and entertainment. To 15th. www. tewkesburymedievalfestival.org .

Dartmouth Shakespeare Week, Dartmouth Castle, Castle Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JN. Enjoy an open-air production of “Othello” in a stunning location. To 28th; www.discoverdartmouth.com .

Exhibition: “Lest We Forget: Remembering the First World

War”, IWM North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ. Focuses on the symbols of commemoration from the poppy to the two-minute silence and how these have both endured and sometimes sparked controversy. One of the highlights will be works of art that were intended for a ‘Hall of Remembrance’ that was never realised. Further details visit www.iwm.org.uk .

AUGUST

Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, Royal Hall, Ripon Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2RD. An operatic extravaganza with more than 100 performances and fringe activities. Groups from all over the world compete for awards. To 27th Tel: 01422 323252; www.gsfestivals.org .

Jigsaw Puzzle Festival, St. James’s Church, East Cowes, Isle of Wight PO32 6RL. The 24th year of this popular event where hundreds of completed jigsaw puzzles are on display and for sale. Open daily 10am–4pm, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6.30–8.30pm. To 18th. Tel: 01983 294075. Waterperry Opera Festival, Waterperry House & Gardens, Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LQ. Set in the beautiful grounds of Waterperry House and using the amphitheatre and house, this unique opera event features Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Dove’s Mansfield Park. To 19th. Tel: 07506 566444. We always like to hear about events of any type, but please send details in to us at least three months in advance. Readers please note that because dates and details may be changed at the last minute, they are advised to check with local organisers nearer the time of the events.