This week we have finally had weather that has felt just a little bit summery, and about time too. But is it summer yet? Well, it depends which definition you use. Meteorological summer started on 1 June, but astronomical summer doesn’t start until the date of the Solstice.
If you have the equipment and patience to track the sun’s path across the sky continuously, you will find there is a point where the sun appears to stand still. From Latin sol and sistere, meaning “Sun” and “to stand still” this is the Solstice. However, this year you wouldn’t be able to spot it anyway*, because the Sun will set a few minutes before reaching the Solstice. That will be at 21:51 BST on Thursday 20 June.
*Unless, that is, you’re somewhere north and west of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Midsummer
Just to add more confusion, the day on which the Solstice falls is called Midsummer. Yes, astronomical Summer starts on Midsummer Day. In the northern hemisphere, Midsummer Day has the longest hours of daylight, but by less than a second more than the next day so it really doesn’t matter that most celebrations will take place at the weekend.
And celebrations there will be, with a special nod to Saffron Walden’s triennial Fête de la Musique on Sunday 23 June.
Starting on the day itself…
Norfolk:
The Hill House Inn in Happisburgh offers a full-on five day celebration with live music, food and camping pitches. The Hill House, The Hill, Happisburgh, Norfolk, NR12 0PW
Suffolk:
The Sweffling White Horse celebrates on the Thursday, with The Rendham Mummers offering of pantomime with comedy and historical drama, followed by live music from the Pancakes. The Sweffling White Horse, Low Road, Sweffling, Suffolk, IP17 2BB
Friday 21 June
Essex/Herts border:
A full evening of activities by the lake in Hatfield Forest, with folk music and barn dancing from 5 pm. Adult ticket £18, booking essential. You might like to go earlier that afternoon and contribute a spell for this 100 year-old Forest. Free entry for this one. Bush End Road, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex, CM22 6NE
Suffolk Day is on 21st June. This year Haverhill is the town that hosts the proclamation, from 9:15 am, followed by an appearance from two Suffolk Punches, the SlackMagirdle Morris Dancing side and some specially commissioned art work from Joel Millerchip.
This weekend
Over to the most easterly point in the UK at Ness Point, where the sun rises first over the UK. Lowestoft has the First Light Festival on Saturday and Sunday 22–23 June with most events free and ticketed events costing £12 or £14. For anyone who feels waiting for sunrise is too much after a full afternoon and evening, Greater Anglia has laid on an extra service from Lowestoft to Ipswich, at 23:05 on Saturday. South Beach, Lowestoft, Suffolk and various locations around the town.
Bedfordshire:
22 -23 June. History in the Park at Wrest Park. Family-friendly activities set in multiple time periods, live music, and storytelling, plus jousting and a jester. Adult £2.50 if English Heritage member, £20.50 if not. Book in advance. Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HR
Buckinghamshire:
22 June-29 September. MK Gallery celebrates 25 years with an open call summer exhibition. spanning sculpture, painting, photography, installation and film. Adults £3; under-21s free; MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes, MK9 3QA
Cambridgeshire:
Sunday 23 June, 14:00-15:00. Cambridge Botanic Gardens Talk by Henry Stanier from the Wildlife Trust talk about fenlands and the Great Fen, one of the largest restoration projects of its type in Europe. The talk is part of the Cambridge Nature Festival and will take place in the Botanic Garden classroom. Please arrive through the Brookside Bike Park. Tickets £5 and must be booked by 2 pm on 22nd. Entrance to the Botanic Gardens is £8.50 for adults, children free. Cambridge Botanic Gardens, 1 Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE
Essex:
Saturday 22 June, 19:00 – 22:00 Jazz in the Park Free event by Wickford Town Council. Food, drink, Jazz band, bring your own chairs, blankets. Wickford Memorial Park, Rettendon View, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8JE
On Sunday 23rd June, Saffron Walden holds its three-yearly Fête de la Musique. The Fête is inspired by the event that originally started in Paris in which a huge variety of music was played throughout the city for everyone to enjoy. The music is free for audiences, and will be accompanied by delicious food. See link for the list of artistes.
Herts:
21-23 June Welwyn Garden City Vintage Fest Music, performers, dance and dance classes, classic cars, vintage stalls and children’s entertainers in 5 locations across the town centre. Outdoor events free, indoor events prices vary, please see website. Welwyn Garden City Town Centre, Hertfordshire.
Norfolk:
This is an old article, so ignore the dates and check on the web for the exact times, but it’s a list of the best places in Norfolk to see the sun rise or set. Perhaps best of all is Cromer pier, where you can watch the sun rise and then return in the evening to watch it set.
Suffolk:
22nd and 23rd June: Dragon Fest at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village With theatrical performances, live music, pet dragons and dinosaurs, axe-throwing. Advance tickets £13 adult, various entry times. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Icklingham Road, West Stow, Suffolk IP28 6HG
