THIS WEEK
17-23 AUGUST 2013
SATURDAY
Saturday night fever
It it really that time of year already? The Premier League football season got under way, with a big win for Manchester United under new manager David Moyes. That’s Saturday night’s TV sorted.
SUNDAY
Not so foreign
Scusa? Challenging the stubborn stereotype, a study showed that the British are taking advantage of their summer holidays to improve their languages, with 59 per cent trying to use the local lingo when abroad.
MONDAY
Everyday superheroes
The start of Learning Disability Week in the UK. Mencap, a charity that supports people with such disabilities, is focusing on families and the “superheroes” within them - dressing up is encouraged.
TUESDAY
Best film ever?
They’ve conquered the music industry, now it’s time for the silver screen. London hosted the world premiere of One Direction’s film This Is Us. Director Morgan Spurlock says the boys are “78 per cent more handsome” in 3D.
WEDNESDAY
The queen and I
In a book published today to commemorate the birth of Prince George, the Queen steals some of the limelight with previously unseen childhood photos. They include one of her, aged around 4, astride her first pony, Peggy.
THURSDAY
The results are in ...
Last week, it was 18-year-olds in England and Wales gingerly opening their results envelopes to see how they had done in their A levels. This week, it was the turn of 16-year-old GCSE students.
FRIDAY
You must remember this
Don’t forget, it’s the, erm, what was it again? Oh, yes, the UK Open Memory Championships continue today at London’s Science Museum. Countries represented include Sweden, India, Serbia, Russia and England.
NEXT WEEK
24-30 AUGUST 2013
SATURDAY
Bear with us
We love a bit of baby excitement, so all eyes are on Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, which thinks its female giant panda, Tian Tian, may be pregnant. If so, she could give birth to a cub from today onwards. Paws crossed.
SUNDAY
Party people
More than a million people are expected at the biggest street party in Europe, as the Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in West London. Today is children’s day, with the grown-up fun to follow tomorrow.
MONDAY
Keeping the ball rolling
In a common refrain for this column, we say, “Come on, Muzza!” Everyone’s favourite dour Scotsman, who lifted the Wimbledon cup just last month, starts the defence of his US Open title in New York City.
TUESDAY
Beam me up
It’s the anniversary of the BBC’s first live television broadcast across the English Channel in 1950. The programme, co-hosted by Richard Dimbleby, featured footage of a Calais street party.
WEDNESDAY
Islamic perspectives
A conference titled Islam and Education takes place today at Lancaster University to discuss empowering young people, interfaith relations and intercultural dialogue in pluralist Britain.
THURSDAY
Bowled over?
With the Ashes retained, it is time either for England to show that they can also dominate Australia in Twenty20 cricket or for the Aussies to regain some self-respect. We shall see which at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire.
FRIDAY
Making the invisible visible
It’s International Day of the Disappeared, set up to draw attention to the fate of people who have been imprisoned without their families or lawyers knowing where or why.
