freebird times (5)

and musicals during the Summer
months. Bring your own cushion
and a warm blanket would also be a
useful accessory.
Newquay is host to multiple
Summer /Autumn festivals
(literature and film, not just
surfing!) and the spectacular Eden
Project is not just a daytime
pleasure but also a location for
performances in Spring and
Summer held in a broad grassy
arena much admired for its
originality.
Padstow in Cornwall is famed for its
harbour and gastronomic charm ? a
destination for many given the fame
of local restauranteur and TV chef,
Rick Stein. It is also at the heart of
regional cultural tradition. One of
its variety of events is the famed
Obby Oss Festival which is
celebrated annually on May Day. It
is thought to be the oldest dance
festival in Britain involving troupes
of local dancers, a maypole,
costumes and general fun and
merriment.
The Hunting of the Earl of Rone
festival takes place in Combe
Martin, Devon, each year and
re-enacts a 400-year old manhunt
with full costumes and general
chasing around. A must for Agatha
Christie fans is the annual Festival
in mid-September (in Torquay) with
all manner of exhibitions, author
talks, murder mystery dinners and
jazz. Also of note is the literary
festival held each May held in
Fowey over three days with a
concentration on the works of
Daphne du Maurier.
Somerset
The county of Somerset has always
evoked England?s pastoral heritage
but the tranquillity is breached
every year or so (if the fields
recover in time!) by the
Glastonbury Festival. It has been in
existence on Worthy Farm since the
1970s. With its roots in flower
power, alternative lifestyles and of
course music, the festival has
evolved into much more than a rock
music festival with all types of
music catered for from classical,
jazz and blues to folk, rock, dance
and soul ? a veritable feast for the
senses. There are also many
themed areas covering food,
meditation, politics, comedy,
literature and arts & crafts. Bring
your wellies in case it rains and
leave the mudsliding to the youth!
Also, look out for music and
literature festivals in Bristol and
Bath ? notably Bath?s annual
Travel 6
International Music Festival in
May/June featuring jazz, classical
and world music; Bristol?s Upfest,
Europe?s largest street art and
graffiti festival and Bristol?s
Slapstick Festival celebration of
silent film and comedy held every
January.
The counties of Hampshire, Dorset
and Wiltshire overlap with the
ancient English kingdom of Wessex,
the location of Stonehenge and the
region where King Alfred saw off
the last of the Vikings.
The Isle of Wight, just off the coast,
is host to festivals throughout the
year ? especially literature and of
course sailing (Cowes Week in
August). Also in the locale, Longleat
House hosts not just the famous
safari park but also events/concerts
over the Spring/Summer months,
while near Winchester The
Watercress Line is one of the most
famous steam-powered railways in
England.
The rather odd Tichborne Dole
Festival takes place in the
eponymous town each March and
locals line up to be ?doled out? an
allowance of a gallon of flour in
ceremonies dating from the 12th
century. Recognised as the most
traditional event in England, the
England
Hills of South England, Hastings, England