2009 Outdoor Almanac
Time again, as we enter the New Year to look forward to what we can be planning to do, through 2009. Whilst it may be a case of loosening our belts after Xmas, generally they'll probably need to be tightened this year but that doesn't mean that you can't treat yourself every so often!
January: We have another weather day on the 31st, so why not come along and learn a bit more about the weather. I'll be talking about what we can expect this year so you can get a idea when to plan your outdoor events as well! It's on January 31st from 10am at our new venue in Westham, still very close to Eastbourne. Just ring us to book a place. Excellent value at £25.
February: Our new year starts in January but the Chinese New Year starts on February 1st. New Year 2009 is the "year of the ox", and will be in full swing in the Chinatown area of London. The main events are in Gerrard Street and around Leicester Square and the entertainment includes lion and dragon dances & martial art demonstrations, with Chinese food and music, and firecrackers. The events start from 11:00 with a Grand Parade along the Strand, Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue then from 12:00 to 18:00 theres entertainment on a big stage in Trafalgar Square.
March: Keeping the theme of the 1st of the month, March 1st is St David's Day, the traditional day for Welsh people. Saint David is the "patron saint" of Wales. A member of the Celtic church he died on 1st March 589 A.D. Many towns in Wales have special events and Welsh communities in other parts of the UK also gather together in pubs, churches or other places. For more details, see: http://www.wales-calling.com/culture/st-david.htm
April: Now this is an event we also like to lend some support to by mentioning it as its for a very good cause, it's the Flora London Marathon and this year the official charity is the Children's Trust, for children with mutliple disabilities; the event takes place on the 26th April. It's all for a good cause and the whilst high pressure can't be guaranteed we can say that the atmosphere is always electric! Paula Radcliffe will be lining up in a bid to win her fourth Flora London Marathon against one of the strongest fields she’s ever faced, the defending champion Irina Mikitenko, all three Olympic medallists and five of the first six finishers in Beijing, plus two former London winners and two World Marathon majors champions!
May: With the euro break looking a decidely pricey option now, how about a planning a short break away for a long weekend in the UK instead? In the south east for instance the weather is often very good by now with long daylight hours. We can recommend our own neck of the woods around Westham and the Eastbourne area. It has a lot of things to do and see as well as its beaches. PevenseyCastle, the dramatic Seven Sisters, and the Science Centre at Herstmonceux are just a few of our local attractions. At the same time you can pop into WeatherFront to have a look at our summer range in person. As always we will be delighted to help you answer any questions you may have about the wide range of weather stations and other equipment we sell.
June: Air shows are always interesting- especially when the visibilty is good and sky clear, though we accept they are not for everyone! On Saturday 7th and Sunday June 8th there is the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, which is the largest privately organised air show in Europe, its at Biggin Hill Airport, south-east of London (the nearest train stations are Bromley South, East Croydon or West Croydon: bus services are available from these stations). For more details, see: http://www.bigginhillairfair.co.uk
July: This is the time when the flora and fauna of the UK is usually at its very best. The Royal Horticultural Society has four gardens around the Uk that you can visit, and they are usually at their very best by now. These include Harlow Carr, in North Yorkshire, Hyde Hall in Essex, Rosemoor in Devon and perhaps the most well known, Wisley in Surrey. The four gardens not only provide year-round interest, offering a wide range of courses, talks and demonstrations, they also demonstrate the best gardening practices, new techniques and exciting new plants. See http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Gardens/ for more details.
August: The peak season for the traditional summer holiday. Why not get extra value this year and stay in the UK instead? The choice is fantastic, there's bound to be somewhere you havent explored; maybe the hills and coasts of Wales for instance? The Lake & the Peak District also have a lot of wonderful scenery to offer. Some of the beaches in Devon and Cornwall are stunning and every bit as good as those further south in Europe. For details just contact the English Tourist Board on 020 8846 9000 or see the website at http://www.enjoyengland.com/
September: Traditionally late September sees the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, having started on July 19th this year. However there are also classical "Proms in the Park" concerts in Hyde Park, London and in the parks too in Swansea, Glasgow and Belfast. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms. Taking place for its thirteenth year in 2009 Proms in the Park has established itself as the definitive live music event. In Hyde Park, the show brings the magic of the Last Night of the Proms to the centre of outdoor London.
October: Almost time for the clocks to go back again as the nights draw in. Harvest time for farmers and time traditionally to celebrate with a festival. These celebrations go back a long way, centuries before they took on their modern religious significance, back to pre Christian times, when the success of the crop governed people's lives. Saxon farmers are thought to have started the practice by offering the first sheaf of corn cut to the god of fertility in order to safeguard a good harvest the following year.
November: The annual celebration of November 5th is perhaps most celebrated in Sussex with the infamous 'Lewes Fireworks' display. Well worth a visit if you like the combination of fireworks and street parades, the whole town gathers in the main street and later around huge bonfires. Best leave your car outside the town if you go as it gets exceptionally busy and crowded by early evening. See the web site for more details at http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/
December: As we gear up for Christmas once again this is usually when we all start to ponder how quickly the year has come and gone again. Time to get the shopping done, the tree lights up, sing carols and eat mince pies. Make the most of the year in 2009 and try not to let the weather put you off getting out and about!
