Festivals/Carnivals

I love going to different festivals/carnivals/events throughout the UK because I love the way they bring people from all walks of life together to have fun and enjoy themselves. 

To date I have been to the Bridgewater Carnival (November time) with about 140 different floats all lit up with light bulbs, Notting Hill Carnival, Scarecrow Festival (Kettlewell), Thames Festival of Culture, Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth Dockyard,  the 40's Weekend in Haworth and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Tattoo.

If anybody can let me know what other festivals/carnivals are held throughout the UK I would be most grateful. 

I'm so jealous, Jane.  It would be so awesome to go to some of those festivals, especially the ones with a really long history and that dig into all the little ethnicities within Britain.  I think they do a lot of those type things in Cornwall.  I would love to see the Morris Men some day, and I believe Shakespeare mentions them in one of his works, so they must go  way back.

A couple weeks ago, George (james prescott) posted a link to a video of the Edinburgh Tattoo.  That looked really great!

Picture by Stephanie Jackson

Another scarecrow festival for you Jane - Belbroughton usually in September. It's a really good one and not too crowded!

The Newlyn Fish Festival in Cornwall is always held at August Bank Holiday. We have been there when it's been on but I am afraid of big crowds and it is always very busy!

Bewdley hold a carnival every year - I am not sure when but when my Mom who lives there tells me I will let you know. It is only a small town but very pretty.

For you Ruth - Morris Dancers at Haden Hall!

Picture by Stephanie Jackson

Thankyou Ruth and Stephanie for your comments and information.  I really do love carnivals/festivals as most people go only for one thing - to enjoy themselves and have a good time. 

Bewdley - that is that in Shropshire Stephanie and if I remember rightly did this suffer quite badly from flooding one year?

Belbroughton - is that in the Black Country Stephanie?

The Edinburgh Tattoo is absolutely fantastic Ruth - I love bagpipes and drums.  The castle makes a lovely backdrop for this event.  The best time to go to the Tattoo is when the Fringe Festival is on - a lot of street entertainment making for a wonderful atmosphere.  In the evenings the pubs are packed and full of life - I find the people in Edinburgh very friendly.

The Thames European Festival of Culture (held early September) is great and takes place all the way along the River Thames over the Saturday and the Sunday.  In the evening there is a parade with music and dancing (Sunday night last year).

When I went to the 40's Weekend in Howarth, I made a big mistake not dressing up.  Most people got into the spirit of this event and there was dancing in the car park.  This event attracts a lot of people (young and old) and Howarth (Emily Bronte country) makes an ideal backdrop for this event.

Nice to hear from you both and if you ever want a guided tour of the Yorkshire Dales please do let me know.

Jane

Thankyou Ron - I shall look this up as well.

Jane

That sounds lovely Kevin.

Jane - thank you for the offer - the same goes for you if you decide to visit the Black Country!

Belbroughton is a Worcestershire village just on the edge of the Black Country near Clent and Stourbridge. The scarecrow festival is held on the last weekend in September - it has got a big event now with thousands of visitors. It is held every year except 2008 when Belbroughton was also the victim of flooding so it had to be cancelled.

Bewdley is a Worcestershire town - not far from Shropshire though. It is famous for its floods - used to have one every year - they have flood barriers now. My mother and sister both live in the town.

The other local festival we have here is the Festival of Water and Light which is held usually on the 1st weekend of October at the Waterfront, Merry Hill Centre. It is not such a good day event but the evening is fabulous with dressed up canal barges with lights on them and fireworks over the canal. I haven't been able to go the last two years as my son was on crutches both times! I will look out some photos though.

Thanks for the Morris men, Stephanie!

Thanks for the photographs Stephanie and thanks for your tip with regard to the Daffodil Festival Kevin.