FRIDAYS LONDON LITERARY WALKS. Alison Hook, head of English at Queen’s Park Community School, London, takes groups around the haunts of famous writers. Her Shakespeare tour is suitable for GCSEA-level students or Year 9 pupils, and Dickensian London is aimed at GCSEA-level students, and Oscar Wilde at A-level groups. Other tours range from Chaucer to the Bloomsbury Group. Eveningweekend tours can also be arranged. Fee: Pounds 3 per student. Details: Alison Hook, 0171-281 5373 (home), 0181 451 0088 (school).
UNTIL AUGUST 28 LONDON LOOKS FORWARD: FROM 1945 TO THE FUTURE
The London of 1945 and 1995 compared and contrasted at the Museum of London, London Wall, EC2. Exhibits include: utility shoes, women’s Doc Martens, knickers made from war-time silk maps, gas mask and smog mask. Architecture is also featured. Over the weekend of July 15-16, you can be filmed having your hair styled 1940s fashion, tying a turban, tasting wartime recipes, jitterbugging and sharing photos and memories. The finished video will be shown on August 28. Details: 0171-600 3699.
JULY AND AUGUST SUMMER DANCE
DanceXchange, the dance agency for Birmingham and the West Midlands, has organised a summer programme for young people aged 6-26 with little or no dance experience. It includes: Afro-Caribbean dance and creative movement for six to 11-year-olds in Birmingham, July 24-28; Shropshire Dance’s summer school for 14 to 25-year-olds, July 31-August 4; and Motionhouse Dance Theatre (Worcester Arts Workshop) will coach 12 to 19-year-olds from August 7-11. Most cost under Pounds 15. Details: 0121-622 3253.
UNTIL AUGUST 20 SUMMER AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
Every weekend for its “Great Outdoors” programme, the RFH will move music, dance and performance outside to the river terraces of the South Bank, London SE1. Highlights include: Roadsweepers’ Ballet; pyrotechnic wizardry from Friches Teatre Urbain, France; dancers from Ecuador, New York and Barcelona on the roof of the Hall; and Latin, jazz, jive and Indian fusion music. From July 15-24, “Rhythm Sticks” will feature top traditional, classical and jazz drummers and percussionists from around the world. Details: 0171 921 0600.
JULY 15-16 REALLY WILD WEEKEND
Find out about birds of prey with The Hawk and Owl Trust at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. Events include: a magnificent flying display with Jemima Parry-Jones, National Birds of Prey Centre, roadshow with Chris Packham of BBC’s “Really Wild Show”, photographycolouring competitions, and raptor ramble trail. Day tickets: Pounds 4.50 adults, Pounds 3 concessions. Weekend tickets: Pounds 7.50 adults, Pounds 5 concessions. Details: 01494 872163.
JULY 21-23 FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE
Storyteller, Katsura Shijaku, is appearing with his troupe of musicians at Stokes Barn, Wenlock Edge, Shropshire, along with artists from Australia, America and Ireland. The programme will mix traditional and contemporary stories with music and dance and includes workshops and children’s events. Details: Genevieve Tudor, 01952 883936291471.
SEPTEMBER 8 AND 30 REUNIONS
Former staff interested in attending the 25th anniversary celebrations of Midhurst Intermediate School, West Sussex should telephone: 01730 812371.
If you would like to attend a reunion on September 30 for 1970 graduates from King’s College London, please contact the KCL Alumni office on 0171-872 3053.
