Events 2004, 2005 - A listing of key story ideas and events
HISTORY AND HERITAGE
2004 – 60th anniversary of D-Day landings
2004 is the 200th anniversary of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – and a major Year of Gardening related activities.
2005 is the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot!
2005 is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (Nelson)
2004 is the 400th anniversary of the first UK railway (1604) and bicentenary of the steam locomotive (Cornishman Richard Trevithick). The National Railway Museum and Heritage Railway Association are planning events
2005 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, Nelson commemorations planned (see also Year of the Sea below)
Longer term
300th anniversary birth Charles Wesley (Methodism)
250th anniversary birth Robert Burns
200th anniversary birth Charles Darwin
COUNTRYSIDE AND COASTLINE
2003 marks the 25th anniversary of the completion of the SWCP. To mark this special events are being organised.
The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail will open on 23rd May 2003
New National Parks – although still to be confirmed, South Downs and the New Forest could both become official National Parks in 2004
Right to Roam – government intends all England to be accessible to walkers unless property is clearly designated as private (this follows Scottish model). South East and Yorkshire are likely to lead way in 2004
The full length of the Pennine Bridleway, from Derbyshire to Cumbria will be open in 2004
2005 is planned to be Year of The Sea – a potentially major story throughout Britian.
2005 40th Anniversary of opening of the Pennine Way, the first National Trail.
Press contact: Kent Daniels, email: kdaniels@bta.org.uk
CULTURE
2003/4 sees the following movie releases:
9/03 NEVERLAND.
Dir: Marc Forster. With Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie.
About the life of JM Barrie with Depp as Barrie.
11/03 LOVE ACTUALLY.
Dir: Richard Curtis. With Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Martine McCutchen,
Emma Thompson.
Directorial debut of Curtis (who wrote Notting Hill, Four Weddings
etc..), romantic comedy telling several interlinked stories, mainly
set in London.
Grant as the Prime Minister who falls for the tea girl (McCutchen)
End 03/early 04 TED AND SYLVIA
Dir: Christine Jeffs. With Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig.
About relationship between Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. Shot around
UK (and in New Zealand.)
April 2004 (tbc) EDGE OF REASON – the sequel to Bridget Jones Diary, again with Renee Zellwegger.
European Capital of Culture 2008
UK nomination for European Capital of Culture 2008 is announced in March 2003 (shortlisted cities are Birmingham; Liverpool; Oxford; Newcastle/Gateshead; Cardiff and Bristol)
2005 – 50th anniversary of Cardiff as capital city of Wales
Press contact: Penny Boraston, email: pboraston@bta.org.uk
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
2003 Golf Open Championships (normally July)
2004 Royal Troon (Scotland)
2005 St. Andrew’s (Scotland)
2006 Royal Liverpool, Hoylake (England’s North West)
World Bowls Championship – Ayr, Scotland 23 July – 7 August 2004
UEFA European Women’s Football Championship – England
venues tbc
Summer 2005
Cricket – tours to England July-Sept 2003 South Africa; summer 2004 New Zealand, summer 2005 Australia
Longer term
Ryder Cup Celtic Manor, Wales
Press contact: Beth Tippey btippey@bta.org.uk
FOOD AND DRINK EVENTS FOR 2003
May
10-11 Leeds Castle Festival of English Food and Wine www.leeds-castle.com
Jersey International Food Festival www.jersey.com
British Sandwich Week www.sandwich.org.uk
24 May – 1 June English Wine Week www.englishwineproducers.com
July
5-6 Organic Food and Wine Festival www.organicfoodwinefestival.co.uk
Whitstable Oyster Festival www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk
August
5-9 Great British Beer Festival www.camra.org.uk
16-17 Isle of Wight Garlic Festival www.wightonline.co.uk/iowgarlicfestival
September
Ludlow Marches Food Festival www.foodfestival.co.uk
20-21 Abergavenny Food Festival www.abergavennyfoodfestival.co.uk
27-29 British Cheese Awards and British Cheese Festival www.thecheeseweb.com
20 Sept – 5 Oct British Food Fortnight www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk
October
Devon Festival of Food www.devon.gov.uk
Manchester Food and Drink Festival www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
November
BBC Good Food Show- NEC Birmingham
Press contact: Adrian Bevan, email: abevan@bta.org.uk