England's Calendar of Events | June
Trooping the Colour
June 16, 2007
Trooping the Colour is a quintessentially English experience of pomp and ceremony. A parade of the Massed Bands and Troops of the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) takes over Horse Guards Parade, in Whitehall, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday.
Crowds line the flag-filled royal road of The Mall to watch the gleaming cavalry divisions on their perfectly-groomed steeds parade up and down the roads around St James' Park. The Massed Bands pipe out jaunty, military tunes and the Queen herself can be glimpsed at the head of her troops giving her Royal wave to all and sundry.
The tradition of the "trooping of the colours" to show off the flags of the different military orders dates back to 1748 and since Edward VII's reign the Sovereign has taken the salute in person. After arriving back at Buckingham Palace she appears on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast as the guns salute her from the Tower of London.
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World Nettle Eating Championships
June 16, 2007
Nettle soup and nettle tea can be very pleasant drinks (apparently), but raw nettles? Can you imagine munching your way through nettle after nettle without even a dock leaf to wash it down? The Bottle Inn at Marshwood presents the World Nettle Eating Championships.
If you think you've got what it takes, or would like to see others put themselves through the mill, the World Nettle Eating Championships are for you. The competition began in the 1980s to resolve a dispute between two farmers, and has since become a traditional local day out.
Supporting attractions over the weekend include an all-day Hog Roast and B-B-Q, live music, children`s entertainment and a Beer Festival offering at least 15 real ales.
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Glastonbury Festival
June 22-24, 2007
Glastonbury, the UK's biggest, best and most famous music festival, is back with what is sure to be another great programme for 2007. Organised by Michael Eavis, it has been held on his property, Worthy Farm in Somerset, since its inception over 30 years ago.
Glastonbury Festival was first held in September 1970 with 1500 people in attendance. It now attracts up to 150,000 people each year around the time of the Summer Solstice.
A huge music programme is presented on three main stages as well as a plethora of smaller and more intimate venues scattered around the site. There is also a dance tent for beat fanatics, an entire field devoted to circus acts, theatre and cabaret and one dedicated entirely to kids. Healing fields offer meditation, sauna, massage and even if you don't go looking for the action, it's sure to find you courtesy of wandering street performers, jugglers, singers and a variety of freak shows, all adding to the cornucopia of attractions that make up this unique event.
Another major component of the festival is the market. Over 600 stalls offer everything from West Indian curried goat to fashionable streetwear.
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