Things to do
HALF TERM: Already wondering how you're going to keep the kids occupied this week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London in half term, for inspiration in the form of shows, exhibitions, workshops, and family-friendly restaurants.
GRACE CAMPBELL: Comedian Grace Campbell brings her show, Why I'm Never Going Into Politics, to Soho. Political aide Alastair Campbell is her father, so she's spent enough of her life ensconced in Westminster to know what she's talking about. Hear her anecdotes on hanging out with Putin's kids, why she thinks she caused Brexit, and the odd vagina joke too. Soho Theatre, from £11, book ahead, 17-18 February
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: The Garden Museum is opening a cabinet of curiosities, and it needs your contributions. Attend a family-friendly workshop, inspired by the 17th century gardeners and plant collectors who sought objects of curiosity for display in their ‘ark’, and make an object that you think will be considered 'curious' in 100 years time. The Garden Museum (Lambeth), free, book ahead, 17-20 February
TAG LINE TOTES: Get your craft on — aided by a drink or two — at this tote bag-decorating evening. All materials are provided, including glitter, sequins, pens and gems, for you to design your own custom tote bag. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £10, book ahead, from 6pm
BREXIT: When are we going to move on from Brexit? If that's a question that's plaguing you, head to LSE where a panel of experts discusses whether identities and allegiances will return to 'normal' now Brexit is complete, or whether the political landscape has shifted forever. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
LGBT REPRESENTATION: Angus Wyatt of Channel 4 talks about LGBT+ representation in the media. Hear his take on the impact of LGBT+ representation in television and advertising, and find out what Channel 4 is doing to improve inclusion and diversity. Museum of Brands (Notting Hill), £26, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
FRINGE OF COLOUR: Nish Kumar heads the line-up at comedy night Fringe of Colour, which raises money for the project of the same name, supporting artists of colour at the Edinburgh Fringe. Rose Matafeo, Sindhu Vee, Ahir Shah, Desiree Burch and Kemah Bob also perform in tonight's show. Union Chapel (Islington), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm
THE WRONG AERONAUTS: Balloon historians Lily Ford and Sharon Wright tell the true stories of the fearless first women of flight. Hear about women whose stories have been lost to history and whose contributions often aren't acknowledged, but who helped to shape the history of aviation. British Library, £11, book ahead, 7.15pm-8.30pm
SOCIAL MOBILITY: Hashi Mohamed, now a barrister, was raised on benefits and attended some of the worst schools in the country. Hear him talk about what it takes to make it in modern Britain, and why hard work, talent and dedication often aren't enough. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
I hope you got through Storm Dennis unscathed. Nasty stuff. Extreme weather like this does, however, have its upside, as it means we can play one of my favourite games. Using your skill and judgement, can you work out which of the following headlines came from the BBC, and which from the Daily Express?
Contact Mr Attlee with any weather-related thoughts or pictures by emailing [email protected]; subject line "For Mr Attlee".
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My regular reader(s) might recall the tube-themed planters from Hammersmith station I highlighted last week. The same station, on the Piccadilly and District lines, also has one of the network's most-trodden roundels, which I'm making my much-coveted Roundel of the Week. Spot it on the floor as you enter the ticket hall from the shopping centre.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Next time you're in the Wandsworth area, check out sustainable kitchen project, StreetCube. Tuck into Thai street food, including vegan pad thai noodles and free-range local chicken satay. Open from 11am-6pm, Monday-Saturday. Find them on the front piazza, in front of TK Maxx and Costa at the Southside shopping centre.
What we're reading
- A photo of mice fighting over a piece of cheese on the Underground has won the People's Choice Award at Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
- You can now buy London Underground moquette fabric by the metre.
- London school abused over rainbow crossing.
- Cost of repairing Elizabeth Tower rises by £18.6m.
- On how London and the rest of the country is all starting to look the same.
