This week
18-24 AUGUST 2012
SATURDAY
The flower of youth returns
Under a scorching sun, teachers of a certain age relived their youths as the Stone Roses continued their comeback gigs at the V Festival. Much to our disappointment, however, Dappy’s performance was cancelled.
SUNDAY
Nineteenth-century chic
There’s still time to don your best bonnet or breeches for a day out with thousands of others at the country’s leading Victorian festival in Llandrindod Wells, which runs until 26 August.
MONDAY
Salad days at the white house
The First Lady, Michelle Obama, hosted the first ever kids’ “state dinner” at the White House as part of her drive to tackle childhood obesity. Can we eat salad? Yes, kids, you can. But go easy on the pud.
TUESDAY
Running out of juice
More than a third of kids won’t go camping because there is nowhere to charge up their gadgets, according to an electricity company. The answer, apparently, is to put solar panels on your tent. I’m not making this up.
WEDNESDAY
Silent strummers converge
Imaginary axes at the ready! The opening day of the Air Guitar World Championships, in Finland, finally arrived. Contestants had three minutes to wow judges with their, erm, skill.
THURSDAY
Five is the magic number
Round two of results season, with GCSE scores posted on the doors. The pressure is on this year, with a new target of 40 per cent of pupils gaining five good passes including English and maths.
FRIDAY
RSI epidemic hits shropshire
Thumb dexterity is taken to a new level at the UK qualifiers of the World Cyber Games in Telford, Shropshire. Gamers will show off their skills in three games, with the aim of winning a place at the world finals in China.
NEXT WEEK
25-31 AUGUST 2012
SATURDAY
My ears are burning ...
The best joke of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has already come from Stewart Francis. “You know who really gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks.” Boom. But will he prevail at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards today?
SUNDAY
Dancing in the streets
Lavish costumes and fabulous floats will be on show at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival in west London. The two-day jerk chicken and Red Stripe-fuelled party starts today.
MONDAY
Will Andy be handy in the US?
Can he do it? Of course he can! Fresh from Olympic glory, Andy “Muzza” Murray will mount a challenge at the US Open tennis tournament with the hope (again) of breaking his grand slam duck.
TUESDAY
All London’s a stage
Fifty actors selected by board-treader Mark Rylance will take to the streets for What You Will: Pop-up Shakespeare. The flash mob-style events will see famous speeches delivered in random spots in London.
WEDNESDAY
A royal welcome
Having already played a starring role in the opening of the Olympics, the Queen will be on ceremonial duty again as she opens the Paralympics. No jumping out of helicopters this time, though.
THURSDAY
European glory nights ahead
The creme de la creme of European football will discover who they will play, with the draw for this season’s Champions League. Come on the mighty Spurs! What do you mean, they didn’t qualify?
FRIDAY
Put the deckchair away
That’s it, it’s over, you’ve had your lot. For many teachers this is the last day of the school summer holidays, with the new term looming on Monday. Oh well, only six weeks until half-term.
