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With the British summer seemingly here at last, the UK music festival season has managed to get off to a great start with RISE, Monsters of Rock, the Isle of White Festival and the recent T in the Park weekend. While Glastonbury will be much missed this year, there are many more great events across the country than even the most hardened festival goer can shake a muddy stick or tent peg at.

One of the best events in July has to be Wickerman. Although it has only been running for 4 years in Scotland, the “Burning Man” inspired event has managed to firmly establish itself in the festival calendar as an alternative to the more commercial and mainstream events. If you are someone who likes their comfort, preferring short break holidays in a plush hotel, to mud and mayhem, then this is probably not for you. With the emphasis firmly on ‘alternative lifestyle’, Wickerman consists of various organised events, alternative music, fire displays, acrobatics, and dancing, all leading up to the highlight of the festival which is the lighting of the eponymous 30ft high wickerman, which is specially constructed as a “sacrifice to the festival gods”.

Another of July’s highlights is Womad (World Of Music And Dance). Womad was created in 1980 by Peter Gabriel and is a diverse and colourful cultural event aimed at the whole family, and features some of the best international as well as great British musical talent, alongside workshops, music and dance sessions and special events for children.

August is littered with so many great events it is difficult deciding which ones to attend:

- Big Chill is a stylish relaxed smaller scale festival than many of the other, with cool tunes, craft stalls, cinema tents, and street performers, against the great backdrop of the Malvern Hills. As the name suggests, the focus for the weekend is simply to chill out.

- V Festival, has become one of the biggest and most popular of the UK events, originally created by Richard Branson in 1996, the musical line up features current chart toppers, alongside breakthrough acts and big name established groups. This year Blur, Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Morrissey and The Pixies are just a few of the huge names to be found gracing the various stages.

- The eighth annual Carling Festivals take place over the three day bank holiday weekend at the end of August. Rather than a single event, there are two different sites, one in Leeds and the other is the long running Reading Festival. Headliners this year are Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Pearl Jam, Kaiser Chiefs, Primal Scream, Maximo Park and the Arctic Monkeys.

- The Creamfields one day event in Liverpool has become the one of the biggest and most popular dance music festivals in the world, with a series of franchised events taking place across the globe. Always winning industry awards and offering big names, this year The Prodigy, Goldfrapp, The Zutons, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, DJ Shadow and Ferry Corsten are all confirmed to appear.

For those who want the full festival experience including camping onsite, remember to take a tent (Doh!) or camper van, bin bags, cash, toilet rolls, sleeping bag, sellotape or duct tape, drinks, and a mud resistant change of clothes. Also remember, whenever possible, not to leave valuables in your tent as possessions sometimes go missing, as do entire tents. Most of all however, remember to have a great time, whichever events you go to.

By: Michael Hanna

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The UK is home to a number of prestigious exhibition centres, each of which host a large number of world-famous exhibitions each year. Here is a compilation of five travel exhibitions that are well worth attending and which might be of particular interest to anyone who works in or with the travel industry.

Group Leisure & Travel Trade Show – This two-day event is being touted as Britain’s largest event serving the group travel, coach touring and travel trade sectors. Major retailers, retirement associations, financial institutions, social clubs, and specialist groups will all be in attendance, making the event a tremendous networking opportunity. The exhibitors will be offering everything from day trips and short breaks to themed visits and long haul destinations. Experts from the group market will be available, offering specialist services. Visitors will have free entry to the exhibition, which begins on 24th September 2008 at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. on 25th September 2008.

A Place in the Sun Live at the NEC Birmingham – Based on the popular Channel 4 TV series and magazine, A Place in the Sun Live is said to be the world’s largest overseas property exhibition. Held at the NEC Birmingham for the third time, visitors are offered advice and inspiration for purchasing property overseas. In addition to the attractions and entertainment features, there will be thousands of properties up for sale, expert advice, and celebrity appearances. The event will run from the 26th to the 28th of September 2008.

A Place in the Sun Live at Earl’s Court, London – October 2008 will be the first time that this event will be staged in West London. Running from the 3rd to the 5th of October, it will be held in Earls Court One. All of the usual attractions including properties for sale and expert seminars and advice will be available to visitors.

The Business Travel Show – The Business Travel Show should be high on the itinerary of anyone managing company travel or booking business trips and meeting venues via the internet, telephone or an agent. Held at Earls Court, London, the exhibition spans three days starting from 10th February 2009. Business travel products and services will be offered by major suppliers and an expert-led conference will offer up to 30 hours of expert advice and education. This event is the perfect way to stay up to date on the industry, gain valuable tips and information and network with other industry professionals.

The British Travel Trade Fair – The British Travel Trade Fair promotes travel and tourism products and services from the UK and Ireland. The 2008 event was held at the NEC Birmingham in March. It is the highlight of British Tourism Week, organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions. The Who’s Who of the UK travel industry is always in attendance as are celebrity guests and entertainers. This is definitely one for your calendar.

By: Catherine Gliddon

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