2008 in the UK Published Jan. 22, 2008 By Suzanne Harper 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- I know that our weather can be a little unpredictable, but I hope that this year you can plan to sample some of the great things to see and do in the UK throughout 2008. With an intrepid spirit, a keen eye on the weather forecasts and a variety of clothing for most eventualities, there is so much to enjoy the length and breadth of our little island nation, from bog snorkeling and rhubarb festivals to the Chinese New Year and Trooping of the Colour. As the late Alfred Wainwright, master Fell walker, is reported to have said, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing". Wainwright spent a good part of his life up on the Cumbrian fells, so he could be regarded as an authority on inclement weather. Take heed. I hope that the links below will whet your appetite for exploration. The list is by no means exhaustive, but I've tried to provide a mixture of the popular along with the more idiosyncratic. I must admit, the rhubarb festival and bog snorkeling are the top of my personal list. January Ship burning: Jan. 29. The skies of Lerwick are lit up every year by an ancient ritual dating back to the Viking occupation of the Shetland Islands. The climax of the festival of Up Helly Aa is the ritual burning of a Viking galley. There are lots of people dressed as Vikings and doing their level best to be true to the Viking spirit. Scottish friends and families who have attended say that it is unforgettable. I can't make it that far north this year, but it is on my list of "Things to See before I Die." February Chinese New Year 2008: Feb. 10 Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year in Chinese communities. In 2008, the Chinese New Year festival and parade in central London celebrate the start of the Year of the Rat. With the Olympic Games in Beijing this year, there is a strong Olympic theme running through the events, which continue until April. Silver ball hurling: Feb. 4 This is an ancient tradition which involves a small silver ball and a lot of running through the towns of St. Ives and St. Columb Major in Cornwall. Of course, there is much more excitement and tradition to the event than it would seem at first glance. Cornwall is a fascinating part of the UK to visit and a trip, timed to coincide with the festivities, would be worth your while. March Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb: March 7 to 8 Have you ever eaten rhubarb? What a joy awaits you. I can't get enough of it. There's one small corner of Yorkshire that's dedicated to the growing of a single vegetable with a unique taste - rhubarb. You can taste, try and buy warm bread, olives, award-winning cheeses, beers and wine and experience the delicious rhubarb smoothie. London Harness Horse Parade: March 24 The parade was founded in the 1880's to encourage the welfare of working horses. The annual London Harness Horse parade now has a new home at the South of England Showground in West Sussex. Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race : March 29 Rivalry between these two great universities moves to the River Thames in the form of a boat race. The race starts at Putney and ends at Mortlake. The event is televised and many people will line the banks of the Thames to get a sight of the two teams battling it out. This year will be the 152nd race between the two universities. The start time depends on the tides, but is typically at 3 p.m. April Flora London Marathon 2008: April 13 The marathon is run from Greenwich in southeast London to The Mall in the southwest and attracts runners and spectators from all over the world. Large amounts of money are raised for charitable organisations and in fact the London Marathon has become the most successful annual fundraising event in the United Kingdom. May Chelsea Flower Show: May 20 to 24 Britain is known as a nation of garden lovers, so it is no surprise to hear this festival attracts garden lovers from all corners of the nation as well as overseas visitors. Tickets are available now and are very much in demand so book early. June Biggin Hill Air Fair: June 7 and 8 The Biggin Hill Air Fair has always been a massive crowd pleaser. This Air Fair is at the start of the air show season and the theme this year is aviation transport, so expect a vast array of aircraft spanning many decades. The main theme of the show will be the celebration of the RAF's 90th anniversary. Trooping the Colour : June 14 Perhaps the most spectacular ceremonial event in London's calendar, it certainly is the most stunning military pageant anywhere in the world. It is performed by the Massed Bands and Troops of the Household Division plus the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. It marks Her Majesty the Queen's official birthday. This year the Queen will be 82 years old. On parade are 1,500 men with more than 200 horses and nearly 500 musicians. Tickets are very scarce and are applied for in January by ballot. Royal Ascot : June 17 to 21 Royal Ascot is a unique event in the summer social calendar, steeped in tradition, heritage and pageantry dating back to 1711. Royal Ascot attracts over 300,000 race goers each year, to view the splendour and colour of five days of the racing, fashion and glamour. Members of the Royal family are in attendance for each of the five days. Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships: June 23 to July 6 This is always a popular event, with never enough tickets to satisfy demand. Tickets for Centre Court and Courts 1 and 2 are allocated by ballot, but tickets for other courts can be bought each day by lining up at the gates. An early arrival is recommended. International Henley Royal Regatta : July 2 to 6 The International Henley Royal Regatta is among the most prestigious social events in England. An occasion to sit back and enjoy Bucks Fizz, cream teas and picnics along the riverbank. Traditional dress for men is slacks, striped blazer and a straw boater hat. Ladies should wear their Sunday best dress and straw hat. State Rooms at Buckingham Palace : July 31 to Sept. 24 The state rooms at Buckingham Palace are a hugely popular, temporary exhibition, which Her Majesty the Queen allows the general public to view for a limited time. With part of the exhibition also devoted to state gifts received over the years, it's a unique and impressive visit for anyone interested in the pomp and pageantry of British royalty. Giant sandcastles: July 6 Every year a giant sandcastle competition is held at Woolacombe Bay in north Devon. But these giant constructions are unlike any you have ever seen. North Devon is a beautiful place to visit, so why not time a trip to include the sandcastles and maybe even have a go yourself? It is all part of the Great British Seaside Experience! And we never let the weather stop us having fun. The Great Yorkshire Show : July 8-10 Yorkshire is England's largest county and Yorkshiremen are fiercely proud of their heritage! The three-day countryside showcase takes place on at the 250 acre site on the edge of Harrogate, which is nearby RAF Menwith Hill. August Surfing: August 4-10 Newquay is the capital of England's surfing scene with 11 beaches stretching over seven miles of golden sand, so it is not surprising that this one-time fishing village has transformed itself into the surfers' paradise. 'Unleashed' is Europe's biggest surf, skate and music festival. It returns for its 26th year. If you enjoy surfing, or just a good time, this is something to keep in mind and plan for the summer: Bog snorkelling: August 25 ( Bank Holiday) Competitors have to complete two lengths of a 60-yard trench cut through the peat bog, in the quickest time possible, wearing snorkels and flippers (wet suits optional, but advisable) but without using any conventional swimming strokes. People travel from far and near to compete and it is a fine example of British eccentricity. It is my personal ambition to compete one fine day. September Three Peaks Cyclo-cross race: September 28 The Three Peaks Cyclo-cross race is a gruelling bike challenge that climbs the Yorkshire Three Peaks around the stunning Ribble Valley. The event had to be cancelled in 2007 due to foot and mouth restrictions, so competitors will be chomping at the bit for this year's competition. Fabulous scenery too. October World Conker Championships: October 12 The topic of conkers is worthy of an article all of its own. The fruit of the horse chestnut has long been a weapon of warfare in playgrounds throughout the UK as children (and many adults too) have battled for the supremacy of their prized conker. The World Conker Championships will be held on the Green at Ashton, Northamptonshire . November Lord Mayor's show : Nov. 8 Claimed to be the world's largest free pageant, it is certainly a spectacular event. This is the occasion when the Lord Mayor of London takes the Oath of Allegiance at the Royal Courts of Justice and travels around the streets of London in his own 18th Century gold carriage and is attended by a vast array of dignitaries. The parade, which has taken place annually for nearly 800 years, will be over two and a half miles long and comprise more than 50 floats, 200 horses, 20 horse drawn carriages and more than 6,500 people. Its conclusion is a spectacular fireworks display on the River Thames at 5 p.m. Remembrance Day service and Parade : Nov. 9 The Remembrance Day ceremony is held on the second Sunday in November at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. Through this annual event, the nation pays homage to those who died in two world wars an many other lesser conflicts from the twentieth century to the present. The Queen, other members of the Royal Family and leaders of the country's political parties join representatives of the Armed Forces and ex-servicemen and women for the two-minute silence and the last post. The Queen then lays a wreath of poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph, followed by members of the Royal Family, representatives of the political parties and high commissioners from the Commonwealth. A short religious service follows. After the reveille and the national anthem, The Queen departs. The war veterans then march past the Cenotaph to pay their respects to the fallen. A member of the Royal Family takes the salute, as the war veterans finish their route at Horseguards. December Skiing The UK offers a number of indoor ski centres but there are also opportunities to ski outdoors in Scotland when weather conditions are favourable . It is a lesser known fact that there is also English skiing, in the shadow of Helvellyn, one of England's highest mountains. There is a little-known piste - that of the Lake District Ski Club. It is certainly only for the intrepid and determined skier as there is a lengthy walk to the piste. If you are an experienced skier and want a challenge, then this is most certainly off the beaten track.