THIS WEEK 21-27 JULY 2012
SATURDAY
TIME TO SHELL OUT
Shucking hell, it was the start of the Whitstable Oyster Festival. Connoisseurs flocked to the north Kent coast to celebrate the delicious bivalve molluscs. A bit of crabbing was going on, too.
SUNDAY
IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN
London overspill: the population boom in the capital means council leaders are drawing up emergency plans for primary children to be taught in disused shops, warehouses and magistrates’ courts, The Observer warned.
MONDAY
COR, BLIMEY!
Cockney rhyming slang is the 127th language of Tower Hamlets, the London borough’s mayor Lutfur Rahman said as it was announced that five pearly kings and queens would offer lessons in the dialect to pupils.
TUESDAY
POETS WHO KNOW IT
The Language of Cat by Rachel Rooney won the CLPE Poetry Award for children. Her work was shortlisted alongside Goldilocks on CCTV by John Agard and Here Comes the Poetry Man by Fred Sedgwick, among others.
WEDNESDAY
FINGER BUFFET
A man accused of biting off a father’s finger at a primary school nativity play was due to go on trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Lee Wilkinson, 39, denies witness intimidation and wounding with intent.
THURSDAY
A FLAMING GOOD DAY
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were scheduled to welcome the Olympic torch to Buckingham Palace. Just mind that flame near your nan’s posh curtains.
FRIDAY
THERE WITH BELLS ON
School bells were among thousands due to be rung around the country at 8.12am, as part of a work by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed (pictured). Work No. 1197: All the Bells celebrates the start of the Olympics.
NEXT WEEK 28 JULY - 3 AUGUST 2012
SATURDAY
HIGHLAND MIGHTY
They cost a fraction of the cost to stage and the male athletes wear skirts: the annual Halkirk Highland Games will provide a manly and Scottish counterpoint to the namby-pamby Olympics down south.
SUNDAY
CRACKING CONCERT, GROMIT
A new musical commission, My Concerto in Ee, Lad, will be a highlight of the Wallace and Gromit Prom: Musical Marvels at the Royal Albert Hall. It will also include music by Debussy and Shostakovich.
MONDAY
AN AUCTION WILL FIX IT
Now then, now then, what am I bid for these Cuban cigars? Sir Jimmy Savile’s possessions and souvenirs, including his famous jewellery, will go under the hammer in aid of his children’s charity in Leeds.
TUESDAY
PENSIONS BALLOT BEGINS
Workforce anger over pensions rumbles on as support staff union Unison launches its ballot on public sector pension reforms. It runs until 24 August, but will there be an appetite for action?
WEDNESDAY
DOING IT FOR THE KIDS
Anyone for Billy Elliot? Parents could do worse than make the most of Kids Week in London’s West End. From today, children will be able to get free tickets to shows and take part in theatrical activities.
THURSDAY
A WICKET EVENT
What do you mean you’ve had enough of sport? This isn’t the Olympics, so relax. It’s England’s cricket team attempting to repair the damage done in the first test defeat to South Africa. The second test starts today.
FRIDAY
TAKE TO THE STAGE
The teaching profession is full of frustrated performers and plenty will be taking part in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which kicks off today. But will they draw in the crowds or be heckled off the stage?
