THIS WEEK
6-12 APRIL 2013
SATURDAY
Love is in the air
Edinburgh Zoo’s most famous lovers may finally be ready to mate. It was announced that the panda Tian Tian is getting grumpy and going off her food, which could indicate that she is entering into mating season.
SUNDAY
Unwise words
Teen Twitter feeds were brought into the spotlight as the 17-year-old new youth police and crime commissioner for Kent Police had to apologise for a series of highly offensive public posts.
MONDAY
Iron lady passes on
It was announced that Baroness Thatcher, the first female prime minister and former education secretary, died on Monday morning. A predictable social-media storm ensued about her legacy.
TUESDAY
A good read
The shortlist for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award was announced this morning. The EUR100,000 award is for the best single work of fiction in English or published in English translation.
WEDNESDAY
Chequebooks at the ready
The manuscript of a patriotic First World War poem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was due to go on sale at Bonhams’ auction house this afternoon. Ypres, written in 1915, is estimated to sell for #163;1,500-#163;2,000.
THURSDAY
Bring your tuck box
Fagging rituals may be a thing of the past, but housemasters and mistresses still need to know what’s what. New boarding house staff will gather at a conference hosted by Uppingham School today.
FRIDAY
What’s your uniform?
Today is football-shirt Friday, so wear team colours with pride. Organised by Cancer Research UK on the anniversary of Bobby Moore’s birthday, the event aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
NEXT WEEK
13-19 APRIL 2013
SATURDAY
I spy a diamond
James Bond reaches the distinguished age of 60. Ian Fleming’s first Bond book, Casino Royale, was published by Jonathan Cape on 13 April 1953 and includes the first mention of the iconic Martini, “shaken, not stirred”.
SUNDAY
Sikh celebration
The festival of Vaisakhi, which signals the start of the Sikh New Year, is marked on 13 and 14 April each year. The festival also commemorates the birth of Sikhism as a collective faith in 1699.
MONDAY
Off we go again
Pencils sharpened and school shoes shined. Today is the end of the Easter break and the start of the summer term for most. With it comes exam season, sports days and, hopefully, some summer weather.
TUESDAY
Far out
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the hallucinogenic effects of LSD 70 years ago today. He made the discovery while trying to establish the medicinal benefits of lysergic acid.
WEDNESDAY
Pick of the best
What makes a good design? From the towering Shard to new websites, the most innovative and forward-looking designs will be celebrated at the Designs of the Year Awards at the Design Museum, London.
THURSDAY
Ready for battle
Toby Young, Fiona Millar and Andrew Adonis, among others, will be debating Michael Gove’s “education revolution” at a conference organised by the Spectator magazine.
FRIDAY
The placement games
By this stage of the week, most parents will have been told whether little Jonny or Jemima has made it into the primary school of their choice. Let the appeals process begin!
