May Events in South London

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	Month of May May is the month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. May was possibly derived from the Greek Goddess, Maia, who was identified with the Roman Goddess of fertility, whose festival was held in May. Our Flower of the Month is the Lily of the Valley, is a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring. Also known as May Bells. All parts of the plant are potentially poisonous.
	? May Bank Holiday - Jack in the Green The Fowlers Troop Jack in the Green was revived by members of Blackheath Morris Men and friends in the early 1980s. It is a revival of a Jack in the Green from about 1906 which was taken out around Deptford, South East London on May Day by the original Fowlers Troop
	tbc Wimbledon Art Fair Open days Buy art directly from 150 artists, and meet them at their own studio. Showcasing work from the UK’s newest emerging talent to the well known & established, visitors can experience many of the creative disciplines including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, printmaking and furniture design. Film
	tbc Dulwich Festival A host of exciting events are planned for the Dulwich Festival (est. 1993). From art in all its forms to music of many kinds there will be something for everyone in the delights coming to a street near you. Art events Street Art Film Music Events Literary Events
	tbc Nunhead Cemetery Open Day Nunhead (est. 1840) is one of the seven great Victorian cemeteries established in a ring around the outskirts of London. Tours of the cemetery, visits to the chapel and crypt - not usually open - guidance on family history, plus delicious home made food and drinks at our café. There are many stalls run by local groups and other cemetery friends. Special attractions for the young ones include the famous Bug Hunt with Mr. 'Bugman' Jones, Face Painting and Badge Making. fonc.org.uk @thefonc
	26th-8/6 British Tomato Fortnight Tomatoes originate from the Andes. The Incas and Aztecs were the first to cultivate the fruit as early as 700 A.D. The English word tomato comes from the Aztec ‘tomatl.’ Tomatoes are usually grown in greenhouses, and these not only provide a protective and controlled environment but ensure that there is minimal contact with pests and pesticides. The first glass greenhouses were built in Kent and Essex. Only a fifth of the tomatoes the British eat are actually from the U.K. — four out of five tomatoes eaten in the U.K. are imported. The British Tomato Growers’ Association which represents 90% of UK producers, wants to change that.
In Season
	Sea Bass Bass are often called ‘King of the Sea’ - it feeds on small fish (e.g. sardines and mackerel) and therefore has a high oil content and fabulous taste. Seabass caught by handlining methods in the southwest of England is the best choice, as this is a selective and low impact method of fishing and all fish can be identified by a tag in the gill, providing traceability back to the individual fisherman who caught it. Fishermen in Cornwall and South Wales have a bigger Minimum Landing Size than the rest of the UK meaning that at least the male fish caught off Cornwall are larger and have had more chance to reproduce. Availability: May to January, Supplier: Film: Gordon Ramsey recipe
	Asparagus British Asparagus is a naturally grown crop, growing in the notoriously fickle British climate, the time at which it makes its first appearance each year is always a subject for much speculation. Traditionally the season runs from St George’s Day (23 April) to Midsummer’s Eve (21 June). Pick your won asparagus at Crockford Bridge farm (off M25 J11) in Surrey. Phone for daily availibility.
	Watercress Watercress is harvested from April to October. The vital ingredient for growing it is pure, mineral-rich spring water, from which this peppery little super-food derives its power house of nutrients. Brimming with more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals, its health giving properties have been known since ancient times. Gram for gram, watercress contains more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach and more folate than bananas Producer: Hairspring Watercress, Mill Farm, Hambrook Hill (South), West Sussex, PO18 8UJ
	Crab The brown crab has an oval shaped body with a distinctive ‘piecrust' edge. It is reddish-brown in color with black tipped pincers. Crabs are generally in season from April until November Choose crabs that feel heavy and don't have liquid sloshing around inside them. If you like white meat buy a cock or male crab. Brown crabs are a good source of protein whilst still having a low-fat content and very few calories (about 84 per 100g/4oz). Crab meat also contains fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and selenium is a good source of vitamin B12. Fresh crabs should be eaten immediately. Alternatively, freeze cooked crabs and use within three months. Boiled and served with mayonnaise or in a Mediterranean-style stew laden with garlic and tomatoes. Supplier: Moxons (several London branches)
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