June in Toledo: Heat, Heritage and Horizons

By now, summer has arrived full throttle to Toledo, and it is impossible to ignore at 40 degrees! The city’s stone walls absorb the fierce sun, radiating warmth long into the evening. Late afternoon brings the trademark “toasting” heat which is perfect for an aperitivo in a shaded plaza but challenging when you have to carry on with general life duties like work, shopping, cooking and cleaning! I was out this weekend wandering the streets in soaring temperatures and was reminded just how well Toledo was planned in the past and how it adapts these days: thick stone walls to keep out the heat, narrow streets offering shade and funnelling cooling breezes, public fountains for cooling water and cafés spilling out into alleys, where patrons linger under parasols and shading awnings.

June in Toledo also means Corpus Chrisi which is undeniably one of the city’s biggest and most important celebrations. The streets are draped in tapestries, flowers, and scattered with dried thyme, filling the air with a beautiful scent, and there is a week of festivities, processions and concerts.

In Toledo, Corpus Christi isn’t just a celebration, it is the city. Officially declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest since 1980, this centuries‑old festival transforms Toledo’s historic centre into a vibrant tableau of faith and folklore, attracting thousands each year.

One of the most iconic elements of Toledo’s Corpus Christi is the Tarasca - a fearsome dragon-like beast paraded through the city’s flower-strewn streets, trailing a raucous procession of drums, horns, and giant puppets. Its origins lie in medieval folklore, from the French legend of St Martha taming the Tarasque, but Toledo’s version has evolved into something a bit more unique. On top of the beast rides “La Tarasquilla,” a puppet representing none other than Anne Boleyn! She is the seductress blamed for England’s church break with Rome - the embodiment of temptation, rebellion, and female influence. Her appearance just before the main procession symbolises the triumph of virtue (Catholicism) over vice (Anne Boleyn!) in a truly unique Toledano tradition!

On a professional note, this morning I met with the IRPA 2026 Programme Committee to fine‑tune our plans for next year’s Congress in Liverpool. It’s a privilege for The Society for Radiological Protection to host this prestigious gathering, and we’re determined to deliver an outstanding event for the European radiation protection community.

The scientific programme is shaping up with exciting themes across the board: cutting‑edge developments in dosimetry and imaging, innovations in clinical practice, radiation protection in nuclear and emerging technologies, and evolving policy frameworks. Check out our website to find out more.

We are now welcoming abstract submissions through the official portal and we want to hear from you! Your contribution can shape the UK/European and global discussions on radiation protection.

Looking ahead, our next SRP Council gathering takes us to London.  The July in person Council meeting will take place in Central Hall Westminster, the exact same venue of the first International Congress of Radiology, held from 1-4 July 1925. This summer’s meeting will mark the 100th anniversary of that historic event.

Back here in Toledo, as I write under the midday heat, I reflect on what we do well in Spain when temperatures climb: we slow down, we gather late, we eat light, we drink even lighter (hello, gazpacho and tinto de verano). We take siestas. We preserve historic rituals like Corpus Christi that unite past and present even in the face of blazing sun. We adapt built environments, valuing shade, fountains, and airflow. We treat summer not as a mere season, but as a social practice.

Wishing you cool evenings, lively streets, and summer sunshine,