RYTON WASSAIL
A traditional wassail is held on the weekend closest to old Twelfth Night, which is 18-19 January in 2003.
Events take place across the region and at Ryton Organic Gardens, dancers wassail an apple tree.
The ceremony wards off evil spirits to encourage new growth. Toast soaked in cider is hung from the branches and a shot gun is fired at the tree to wake it up from its winter sleep.
听| 听 |  | A threatening cemetery - a memorial to death
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ST VALENTINE'S DAY
As well as waiting for cards from admirers, people in Warwickshire remember a dark event on Valentine's Day.
On 14 February 1945, there was a strange murder in Lower Quinton.
The victim was Charles Walton, a labourer, who was killed with his own farm tools. Witchcraft was suspected as a large cross was carved into his chest and a striking passage was found in a book about Warwickshire folklore. The book stated a Charles Walton died in 1885 after seeing a foreboding ghost.
Rumours of the most recently killed Charles Walton being involved in witchcraft - and possibly being the same man as the earlier victim - endure. The crime remains unsolved.
听SHROVE TUESDAY
| 听 |  | Practicing for the Shrove Tuesday football match
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Atherstone holds a football match on Shrove Tuesday which follows 12th century rules - it's a long and boisterous affair.
The match, which in 2003 falls on 4 March, also starts a series of traditional pancake races across Warwickshire.
CRUFTS
The world-famous Crufts dog show will take place at the NEC from 6-9 March 2003.
The show is the most prestigious canine event in the world and attracts international visitors and exhibitors.
听| 听 |  | Women playing tug of war in period costume at the RSC Stratford grounds
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SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Around the 23 April Stratford goes bard crazy for Shakespeare's Birthday.
During the weekend of 25-27 April 2003, plan to be in Stratford for a festival of processions and plays and to enjoy all things Shakespearean.
Follow the links on the left to learn more about Shakespeare and this unusual event.
听| 听 |  | 2002 Open winner, Angel Cabrera, in action
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B&H INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Tthe dates aren't fixed yet, but each May the Belfry, in North Warwickshire, hosts the B&H International Open.
This major international golf tournament is one of the best of the European Tour.
It attracts a card of top golfers.
听| 听 |  | Costumed revellers in the Godiva Festival
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GODIVA FESTIVAL
At the start of June, Coventry recreates its favourite event with The Godiva Festival.
This weekend of events celebrates Lady Godiva with a parade and a festival in the park.
There is a gallery of the 2002 events linked on the left.
The Godiva Procession 2003 will take place on Saturday 7 June, departing from the cathedral ruins at 11am and processing around the city before ending in the Memorial Park.
听| 听 |  | Cow signed by celebrities at the 2002 Royal Show
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THE ROYAL SHOW
From 29 June - 2 July 2003 The Royal Show will held in Warwickshire's permanent showground at Stoneleigh Park.
This is England's major annual agricultural and countryside event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).
In 2002, the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, visited the show. See the highlights with the link on the left.
听| 听 |  | The atmospheric ruins of Coventry Cathedral
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MYSTERY PLAYS
The Mystery Plays are only performed every three years in the Coventry Cathedral ruins, so it's a real treat to have them here from 5-23 August 2003.
The Mystery Plays are one of only four medieval religious drama cycles that are still performed in the country. The plays are based on the stories from the Bible, recreating 15th and 16th century atmospheres.
TOWN AND COUNTRY FESTIVAL
In 2003, the Warwickshire Town and Country Festival will take place from 23-25 August at the National Agriculture Centre in Stoneleigh.
See how the huge festival celebrated its 30th Birthday last year with motoring, agricultural and family fun, by following the link on the left.
听| 听 |  | Ex-mayor Sheila Price gets to grips with a fish at the Stratford mop
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MOP FAIRS
Mop season is a favourite time of year for the villages visited by traditional mop fairs.
Dates will be confirmed nearer the time, but it is expected the fairs will be around at the end of September and start of October in 2003.
The fairs visit Studley, Alcester, Henley, Warwick, Southam and Stratford.
See some of the action from 2002 by following the All the fun of the fair link on the left.
听VISITORS' SEASON AT THE RSC
As the productions change over, the hallowed stages of The Swan and the RST are open to fringe performers and other visiting theatre companies in the Autumn Visitors' Season.
The theatres take on a new atmosphere at this time.
| 听 |  | Picture from the children's Diwali gallery 2002
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DIWALI
Big celebrations take place every year for the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.
In 2003, the festival falls on Saturday 25 October. The day will be marked with fireworks and official light decorations in the streets of Foleshill.
Follow the link on the left to see a gallery of Diwali pictures from 2002.
听BONFIRE NIGHT
Of course, bonfire night happens all over the country, but In Warwickshire it has a particular importance.
Find out about the links between the gunpowder plotters and our own county by following the links on the left.
听| 听 |  | The one and only Father Christmas
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CHRISTMAS EVENTS
While Christmas is a time for families and friends, it is also a good time for big events.
Coventry and all the towns in the area have special nights when the decoration lights are switched on. Most of these happen in November but many events, such as ice-skating in Coventry City Centre and Christmas festivals, happen throughout December.
We will have listings and dates for these events in 2003 nearer the time.
Follow the link on the left for some of the features on the site for Christmas 2002.
听Add an event
| | 听 There is so much going on in Coventry and Warwickshire, we're bound to have missed something.
To suggest an event or to comment on the site, email us using the address on the right.
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