Welcome to Calendar Customs!
This site aims to list the wide variety of traditional and unusual events that take place each year in the UK and to help visitors take part in them. Each event has its own page giving details of its timing and location, as well as a very brief history and notes on what to expect. Enjoy!
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Archive for May, 2012
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![Dating from 1508, the Red Hose Race at Carnwath is a race with a pair of red socks as the prize and is believed to be the oldest surviving foot […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0387-115x115.jpg "Carnwath Red Hose Race")
Carnwath Red Hose Race
Posted on May 21, 2012 | 4 CommentsDating from 1508, the Red Hose Race at Carnwath is a race with a pair of red socks as the prize and is believed to be the oldest surviving foot […] -
![There have been spectacular parades in Chester for hundreds of years, featuring fabulous creatures and giants. Originally based around the famous Mystery Plays and organised by the City Guilds, the […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chestermidsummer-115x115.jpg "Chester Midsummer Watch Parade")
Chester Midsummer Watch Parade
Posted on May 21, 2012 | 2 CommentsThere have been spectacular parades in Chester for hundreds of years, featuring fabulous creatures and giants. Originally based around the famous Mystery Plays and organised by the City Guilds, the […] -
![The old tradition of nettle eating in Dorset was briefly alive and well at Chideock. Rules were straightforward – the person who ate the most nettles within an hour won. […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nettles-115x115.jpg "Dorset Nettle Eating Competition")
Dorset Nettle Eating Competition
Posted on May 21, 2012 | No CommentsThe old tradition of nettle eating in Dorset was briefly alive and well at Chideock. Rules were straightforward – the person who ate the most nettles within an hour won. […] -
![For hundreds of years, the Wakeman of Ripon has blown his horn daily in the Market Place. He dresses in a uniform with tricorn hat and blows three blasts at […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_0147-115x115.jpg "Ripon Hornblowing")
Ripon Hornblowing
Posted on May 13, 2012 | 3 CommentsFor hundreds of years, the Wakeman of Ripon has blown his horn daily in the Market Place. He dresses in a uniform with tricorn hat and blows three blasts at […] -
![Randwick Wap is a revived ancient festival with a fair, costumed procession and ceremonial cheeserolling. A Wap Mayor and Queen are carried through the village accompaied by various officials including […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC00608-115x115.jpg "Randwick Wap")
Randwick Wap
Posted on May 12, 2012 | 1 CommentRandwick Wap is a revived ancient festival with a fair, costumed procession and ceremonial cheeserolling. A Wap Mayor and Queen are carried through the village accompaied by various officials including […] -
![This is a traditional fair for Gypsies and travelling people to meet up and trade and it dates back literally hundreds of years, the Charter being granted in 1476. It […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_0008-115x115.jpg "Stow Horse Fair")
Stow Horse Fair
Posted on May 9, 2012 | 29 CommentsThis is a traditional fair for Gypsies and travelling people to meet up and trade and it dates back literally hundreds of years, the Charter being granted in 1476. It […] -
![Helston Flora Day is one of the oldest surviving May customs celebrating the end of winter and coming of spring. A series of dances are performed throughout the day starting […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC00584-115x115.jpg "Helston Flora Day & Furry Dance")
Helston Flora Day & Furry Dance
Posted on May 8, 2012 | 12 CommentsHelston Flora Day is one of the oldest surviving May customs celebrating the end of winter and coming of spring. A series of dances are performed throughout the day starting […] -
![Hastings hosts this festival each May Day Bank Holiday weekend (that’s the one early in the month). The main man is of course Jack himself, who is basically a man […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC00559-115x115.jpg "Hastings Jack-in-the-Green")
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green
Posted on May 7, 2012 | 10 CommentsHastings hosts this festival each May Day Bank Holiday weekend (that’s the one early in the month). The main man is of course Jack himself, who is basically a man […] -
![The ancient festival of Beltane is revived and celebrated annually at the reconstructed Iron-Age village of Butser in Hampshire (they spell it Beltain here). A huge wicker man is constructed […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC00523-115x115.jpg "Butser Beltain Festival and Wicker Man")
Butser Beltain Festival and Wicker Man
Posted on May 1, 2012 | 15 CommentsThe ancient festival of Beltane is revived and celebrated annually at the reconstructed Iron-Age village of Butser in Hampshire (they spell it Beltain here). A huge wicker man is constructed […]