Quickening for Brexit at start of seasonal celebrations
As of tomorrow, there will be just 500 days to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU, at 11pm on March 29. This is likely to result in banner headlines (especially in the ominous countdown clocks (mainly on the internet) and pedantic punditry (certainly on TV), as journalists across the UK and on the Continent look for new and interesting ways to repeat the fact Britain is leaving the European Union.
On Wednesday, academics will pile in, with a briefing on the EU Withdrawal Bill by the ‘UK in a Changing Europe’ think tank. Academic speakers will include Professor Catherine Barnard, Dr Jo Hunt, Dr Adam Cygan and Professor Anand Menon. 69th birthday. He is the longestserving Prince of Wales, having held that title since 1958 and the oldest person to be first in the line of succession to the throne since Sophia of Hanover (the heir presumptive to Queen Anne), who died in 1714 at the age of 83. film director, screenwriter and producer, who worked on movies including and an adaptation of ,isto speak at the prestigious event.
Wednesday will see the result of Australian gay marriage vote. The postal ballot has been held to see whether Australia should lift its prohibition on same-sex marriage. Ballots were first sent on September 12 and the survey result is non-binding on the government.
Wednesday will also see the Women of the Future Awards. The awards recognise the inspirational rising female stars of today and tomorrow across diverse categories including business, culture, media and technology.
On Thursday, Canterbury Cathedral will host a conference on the Black Prince. a statue of which stands in Leeds City Square. The elder son of King Edward III was a controversial figure. Known as a brilliant but ruthless military commander, he died a year before his father and so never stood on the throne, it passing to his son Richard II. The conference will bring experts together to discuss ‘the man and the myth’.
The Queen will visit Hull on Thursday to mark its year as the UK City of Culture. The Queen will arrive by train at Hull Railway Station and unveil a plaque to commemorate her visit. The city was dubbed ‘Kings Town Upon Hull’ (later Kingston upon Hull) by Edward the Longshanks (1272 to 1307) in 1299 – he was instrumental in building its church (recently raised to a minster) and recognising its strategic importance.
On Friday, a dog will be awarded an ‘Animal Victoria Cross’. Mali, a Belgian malinois attached to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), will receive the Dickin Medal in London, for bravery during an operation in Afghanistan in 2012.
Finally, it’s happened: Christmas is officially here. The annual festivities seem to be signified by two events nowadays: the release of the John Lewis Christmas advert and Hamley’s Regent Street Toy Parade, which will take place on Sunday.