May is a good month to celebrate spring in the UK. Bluebells carpet woods and forests and buds are shooting up everywhere. The most famous celebration in this month is the traditional May Day festivities of dancing around the May Pole etc. But there are other excuses for a party in May. Some of those are presented here.
Throw a Furry Day Party
In Helston, Cornwall on May 8th (unless that falls on a Sunday or Monday, when it’s held on the previous Saturday), the town throws a traditional “Furry Day” parade and procession. Believed to be based on the old Roman Floralia festival, it used to be a holiday in the town. Decorate the home with bluebells, laurel leaves and other green, budding boughs and serve a Cornish based meal.
Cornwall was traditionally renowned for its pilchards. This article gives a recipe for stargazy pie but, if the idea of fish heads staring out from a pastry crust doesn’t appeal, serve a different fish or other seafood dish. Offer an apple pie for pudding with clotted cream and cider with which to wash it all down.
Celebrate the Lady of the Lamp’s Birthday in May
May 12th 1820 was the day Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy to a wealthy English family who owned estates in Hampshire. She is famous for her nursing work at the Crimean hospital in Scutari. Celebrate her birthday by throwing a fancy dress party where guests are invited to dress up in period costume.
Alexis Soyer almost certainly knew Florence as he was in Scutari at the same time. He revolutionised the standards of food in the Crimea by inventing a camp stove and devising wholesome recipes using soldiers’ rations. Why not dish up one of his camp stews such as the one given in the following recipe (serves 1):
Ingredients:
- ½ lb beef stewing steak
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 2oz rice
- 1 pint water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Gently fry the stewing steak and onion the oil with the seasoning for about fifteen minutes.
- Add the rice and water and stew gently until cooked through
Celebrate the Birthday of Wimpy and Sherlock Holmes
On May 18th 1955 the first Wimpy Bar opened in London. Host a backyard barbecue (if the weather’s fine) and serve cheeseburgers garnished with lettuce, tomato, onions and ketchup or chicken fillets in breadcrumbs with tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise. Fries are optional. Finish off with cheesecake or chocolate fudge cake.
May 22nd 1859 was the day that the author of the Sherlock Holmes books, Arthur Conan Doyle was born. Celebrate his birthday by holding a Sherlock Holmes themed party. Invite guests to arrive wearing deer stalkers and tweed and base food and decorations around The Greek Interpreter book. Plan a menu of Greek dishes such as dolmades, mousaka and a feta cheese and olive based salad.
Sources:
- The Times Digital Archive
- The Telegraph Online
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