9-15 May 2015
Saturday
Morgan’s moment
The UN’s World Migratory Bird Day raised awareness of the planet’s 4,000 migratory species. Half of UK bird species follow this pattern, arriving when food is scarce or as “altitudinal migrants” in the summer.
Sunday
Perfect curve-ball
Jessica Hynes received a gong at the Bafta television awards for her performance as scatterbrained PR Siobhan Sharpe in BBC comedy W1A. She used her acceptance speech to rail against arts funding cuts.
Monday
In the Euro zone
The Scottish Parliament’s debating chamber played host to 120 primary school pupils, who tested their knowledge of European affairs in the Euroquiz contest, answering questions on culture, history and sport.
Tuesday
Go with the Flo
Nurse, social reformer, statistician and perennial primary topic favourite Florence Nightingale was born 195 years ago. Her birthday is now commemorated as International Nurses Day.
Wednesday
Cannes-do attitude
The 68th Cannes Film Festival began on the French Riviera. Over 11 days, directors will exhibit their films before a celebrity jury in the hope of winning the prestigious Palme d’Or award.
Thursday
Get your fill of doughnuts
From a Cameroonian “puff-puff” to a Berliner’s “Berliner”, doughnuts are arguably humanity’s best pastry friend. You’ve got until Saturday to tuck into a tasty treat for the 24th National Doughnut Week.
Friday
Food fight
Calling on a shared love of all things edible (Turkey Twizzlers aside), the Jamie Oliver Foundation is championing the importance of food education this Food Revolution Day. For resources, see bit.lySchoolFoodEdu
16-22 May 2015
Saturday
Malaysian mentors
Educators across Malaysia will be recognised on Teachers’ Day. The date commemorates the release of a report in 1956 that went on to form the basis of the country’s education system.
Sunday
Ruhr REMEMBRANCE
On this day in 1943, 19 Allied Lancaster bombers completed their “Dambusters” raids on Germany’s Ruhr valley, each armed with a cylindrical depth charge, known as a “bouncing bomb”.
Monday
Oaths of allegiance
Westminster welcomes in a newly elected band of constituency representatives today. All 650 MPs plus a House of Commons speaker will be sworn in - a week before the official State Opening of Parliament.
Tuesday
Open-minded Murray Qualifiers for the French Open begin at the Roland Garros clay courts. Britain’s Andy Murray will go into the tournament with confidence after beating “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal in straight sets last week.
Wednesday
BOUNTIFUL BLOOMS If you like flowers and love expensive landscaping, the 102nd Chelsea Flower Show at Royal Hospital in London is for you. You might even pick up some ideas for an ambitious school garden.
Thursday
Make hay while the sun shines
The Hay Festival, the world’s largest literary shindig, begins in the small Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye. Author Michael Morpurgo (see pages 14-15) will stage a concert based on his children’s book The Mozart Question.
Friday
Garden variety
Give the creepy crawlies in your vegetable patch a symbolic kiss on International Day for Biological Diversity. There are 8.7 million plant and animal species in the world, 59,000 of which can be found in Britain.
