Who doesn’t love a picnic?

As July is National Picnic Month, we’re looking back on the alfresco meal that’s often eaten on a blanket.
Celebrated during one of the warmest summer months, the event offers a perfect excuse to enjoy the great outdoors with tasty food and great company.
Originating as a way to encourage people to spend more time outside, National Picnic Month emphasises the joys of alfresco dining.
From simple family gatherings in local parks to elaborate friends’ meet-ups in scenic locations, the observance has grown to embrace community spirit and the appreciation of nature, along with showcasing local produce and culinary delights.
A popular version is the teddy bears’ picnic, at which furry friends are the guests of honour. 
This is immortalised in the song written in 1907 by American composer John Walter Bratton, with lyrics added in 1932 by the Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy.
It remains popular in Ireland and the United Kingdom as a children’s song, having been recorded by numerous artists over the decades. 
Kennedy lived at Staplegrove Elm and is buried in Staplegrove Church, in Taunton, Somerset. Local folklore has it that the small wooded area between the church and Staplegrove Scout Hut was the inspiration for his lyrics.
Our main picture, of a sun-drenched Silloth Green in 2016, perfectly encapsulates the essence of picnics. Captured with their food laid out in front of them are Laura Wilson and son Oliver, two, and Lisa Campbell with daughter Lara, one.

(Image: John Story)

Above are brothers Buddy and Sonny O’Connor at Picnic in the Park at Castle Park, Whitehaven.

(Image: Newsquest)
At the same event is Rod Stewart tribute performer Robert Wright.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

A black and white image from 1968 shows picnickers at Talkin Tarn Regatta and another picture, The Mail Picnic Day at Cartmel Racecourse.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

The remaining images are of teddy bears’ picnics - at Bishop Goodwin Infant School, Carlisle; Ennerdale Scout Camp, Egremont Methodist Church and Beckstone Primary School, which was marking its 10th anniversary.