Cumbria in May
The Traveller
Taking place over four days across a dozen venues, the 13th Jennings Keswick
Jazz Festival on May 13-16, comprises well over 100 different jazz events.
Among the highlights are visits from America's Black Eagle Jazz Band as well
as bands from France, Holland, Denmark and Sweden - including the welcome
return of the storming Second Line Jazz Band. Britain's world star of
classic jazz, Keith Nichols, is back with shows celebrating the music of
Fats Waller and Bix Beiderbecke. Full 4-day tickets £69.50, Single-day
tickets Thu £15.50, Fri £17.50, Sat £26.50, Sun £18.50. Contact: 017687
72071
Further information on the Keswick Jazz Festival
The Cumbria Food & Drink Festival
Cumbria's first Food & Drink Festival takes place on May 1-9 2004 to promote
the excellence and diversity of food in the county. The events will centre
on restaurants, pubs, specialist food shops, farm shops and farmers' markets
in the county. There will also be a major event over the Bank Holiday
weekend at Rheged with celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations and plenty of
stalls where you can buy quality Cumbrian produce.
Further information on the Festival
Derwent Island Open Day
This impressive Georgian house built in 1789 situated on Derwent Island was
donated to the National Trust in 1951 and is only open to the public five
days a year. So take this rare opportunity to hop on the boat across Derwent
Water and enjoy a tour of the stunning island. The house still contains
original paintings and furniture and has spectacular views across the lake.
Tickets including boat journey. National Trust member, adult £2, children
£1, non-members adult £4.10, children £2. Bookings can be made through the
National Trust, The Hollens, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9QZ. For
last minute bookings contact 015394 35599.
Further information on Derwent Island
Walking and Countryside Festival
Hidden dales, windswept summits, riverside paths, ancient woodlands,
curlews, skylarks, buzzards, red squirrels, otters and rare orchids are
among the many gems that can be enjoyed during Kirkby Stephen's Walking and
Countryside Festival. The guided walks programme, which runs from Friday May
14 - Monday 17 May, includes easy, moderate and strenuous routes to suit all
interests and abilities in this unexplored and uncrowded corner of Cumbria.
All walks include a ride on a Cumbria Classic Coach. It costs £5 per walk
and booking is essential. Contact: 017683 71199
Further information on Kirkby Stephen
Carlisle and Spring Borders Flower Show
Bitts Park in Carlisle will be a blaze of colour on May Bank Holiday weekend
with a horticultural show. Highlights include floral art demonstrations,
horticultural, trade stands, craft and countryside displays,
flower-arranging competitions, Punch and Judy show, children's entertainer
and bands. Contact: 01228 625600
Further information on Carlisle
Alfred Wainwright Exhibition
A new exhibition devoted to the life of the legendary fell walker, author
and artist Alfred Wainwright opens at Kendal Museum on Saturday 1 May.
Wainwright's handwritten pictorial guides to the Lakeland Fells have been in
use for more than 40 years and their appeal continues to endure today.
Visitors can follow his fascinating life story and see many of his original
pen and ink drawings, maps, letters, and first editions of his books, as
well as personal belongings such as his walking boots and socks which are
very heavily darned. Contact: 01539 721374
Further information on Kendal
via Edith.