Not just a week of love but fashion and star gazing too
Events ranging from fashion to star gazing and volunteering to Valentine’s will be taking place this week. Laura Drysdale looks at what’s going on in the week ahead.
YORKSHIRE MP and Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett is set to take part in a debate looking beyond Brexit to the future of politics for the Labour Party.
The event, organised by independent think-tank Resolution Foundation, takes place in the capital this morning and follows a similar debate, held last week, that looked at where the Conservative party is heading.
Meanwhile, also in London this morning, a briefing is being held by the Institute for Government (IfG) and Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) on the issues for Government in the upcoming Spring Statement and this year’s Spending Review.
VOLUNTEERING
THE NATIONWIDE Student Volunteering Week will begin today. Now in its 18th year, it celebrates the impact that student volunteers have across the UK and encourages more to engage in civic life.
The week, organised by the Student Volunteering Network, with support from Student Hubs and the National Union of Students, will see tens of thousands of people get involved in social action events and projects.
STATISTICS
THE OFFICE for National Statistics will give insight into both retail and the housing market with releases this week.
On Wednesday, it is expected to publish the UK House Price Index for December 2018 shedding light on the value of residential properties, as well as the Index of Private Housing Rental Prices, for January 2019, tracking the prices paid for renting property from private landlords.
Later in the week, data on retail sales in January is also expected to be released.
VALENTINE’S DAY
IT IS also, of course, the week of love. As on February 14 each year, loved ones across the country will exchange cards and gifts to celebrate romance.
Expect restaurants to be packed with couples, supermarket shelves to be stocked with Valentine’s Day meals – and plenty of reduced flowers and chocolates on Friday. LONDON FASHION Week gets underway on Friday.
Running until February 19, it will see designers showcasing their collections on the catwalk runway as well as in intimate presentations.
Fashion Week takes place twice a year in February and September, organised by the British Fashion Council to showcase womenswear design to an international audience including press and buyers.
London Fashion Week Men’s was established in 2012 and takes place every January and June.
FESTIVAL
FRIDAY WILL also see the launch of the Dark Skies Festival, with the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors authorities among those celebrating the jewels of the night sky over 17 days.
Events over the period include walks and trails, exhibitions, talks, workshops and gazing at the night skies.
Many will be themed around the moon to mark the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
CHARITY
ON SUNDAY, runners will join the fight against heart disease at Leeds’s Harewood House.
The British Heart Foundation half marathon – and a 10km run – will take place within the Harewood estate, taking in muddy tracks, forest trails and spectacular views over the historic house.
New this year, there is also a 2km family fun run.