A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY
PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, IDEAS TO TRY
QUAINT AND CURIOUS… CUCKOO DAY
In the days of old, spring could not be said to have arrived until the first call of the cuckoo, around St Tiburtius’s Day on 14 April. Eventually, the day was christened Cuckoo Day and marked by feasting and dancing. The community of Marsden in West Yorkshire still celebrates with a Cuckoo Festival, held this year on 26 and 27 April. Follow the community group at facebook.com/ MarsdenCuckoo.
EAT THE SEASONS… Asparagus
You have just eight weeks from St George’s Day (23 April) in which to enjoy these tender spears full of vitamin C that poke curiously out of the ground, with a handy ability to grow up to 10cm in one day. Steam this rare green gold for 2-5 minutes and serve with hollandaise for a classic treat or enjoy its delicate taste by shaving it into salads, folding it into risottos or grilling and wrapping it in prosciutto.
DON ’T MISS Shakespeare Day
Some are born great – and some are born on a day that goes unrecorded in history. No one knows exactly when Shakespeare arrived into the world, but for 200 years his birthday has been marked on 23 April, a few days after his baptism and the day he died. His hometown of Stratfordupon-Avon – where you can find the statue above – is the focus of festivities, with a parade culminating in the placing of a quill in the hand of his effigy above his grave. Cheer on the procession and then enjoy a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. shakespearescelebrations.com
5 OF THE BEST... bird sanctuaries
Visit avian friends at these protected spots
OWL SANCTUARY FESTIVAL PARK, EBBW VALE Many of the injured birds at this free-to-visit sanctuary will be released back into the wild (theowlsanctuary.co.uk).
SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE, NORTH BERWICK Live cameras offer close-ups of local wildlife (seabird.org).
CORNISH BIRDS OF PREY CENTRE, CORNWALL Birds are given a permanent home at this site (cornishbirdsofprey.co.uk).
MUNCASTER CASTLE, CUMBRIA The Hawk and Owl Centre has many aviaries as well as a flying arena (right, muncaster.co.uk).
HAWK CONSERVANCY TRUST, HAMPSHIRE A bird hospital, three flying display rings and 22 acres of woodland and meadows make up this mighty site (hawk-conservancy.org).
DON’T FORGET… to plant roses
April is the last chance to plant bare root roses for the year, the ground dry and warm enough now for them to establish, ready to flower in summer. Choose blooms to fill your senses from rose breeder David Austin, whose apricot ‘Dannahue’ was inspired by Danny Clarke’s Chelsea Flower Show garden. Zesty with the scents of lemon and lychee, this hardy, compact bush will thrive in any type of landscape, urban or rural, bri
