Things To Do In London Today: 5 November 2012


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GIVE UP YOUR BLOOD: Today's opportunity to donate blood comes at the West End Donor Centre on Margaret Street, Fitzrovia. Just turn up, 8am-7.30pm

GIVE UP YOUR COAT: The Wrap Up London campaign will be hanging around in London's major stations this week, collecting your unwanted coats in order to pass them on to the vulnerable. Today and Tuesday is all about awareness raising...be sure to pick up a leaflet. Then bring along your out-of-date coat on Wed-Fri. Free, just turn up, 7-11am

JEWELLERY: The Dazzle festival sees the best contemporary jewellers gather at the National Theatre to show off and sell their wares. The fair runs through till 6 January, and might be just the job if you're looking for an unusual but sparkly Christmas present. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-10pm

HUMAN RIGHTS: Leighton House Museum in Holland Park will open two new exhibitions as part of the Nour Festival today. Artist Dia Batal honours victims of the Syrian uprising in an installation in the Arab Hall, while photojournalist Bradley Secker presents images of the hidden life of gay men and women across the Middle East. Both run till 30 November. £5, 10am-5pm

OXFORD STREET LIGHTS: The annual tradition of illuminated consumerism sees Robbie Williams and Leona Lewis switching on the Oxford Street lights. The spectacle takes place at House of Fraser, and will also feature Jamie Theakston, Lawson and Emma Bunton. Free, just turn up for the lights, but the celeb event is sold out, 5pm

FIREWORKS: In case you didn't get enough oooo and aaaahh action over the weekend, there are further firework displays on tonight. Check out displays in Southwark Park (6pm), Brunel University, Uxbrodge (6pm), Maxilla Gardens under the Westway (6pm), Cleveland Square Westminster (6pm), Wimbledon Park (6.30pm, 8.15pm), Waltham Forest Town Hall (8pm), Crystal Palace (7pm, 8.30pm), and Roundwood Park, Brent (8.45pm). Full details in our roundup article.

INDIA: The British Library's exhibition on Mughal India hasn't yet begun, but the calendar of supporting events has. Tonight, a panel including TV historian Michael Wood looks at the difficulties of writing about the region as an outsider. £7.50, 6.30pm

COMEDY: Soho Theatre hosts an evening of comedy to raise money for women who have suffered violence. The good and lengthy lineup sounds delicious. £25, 7.30pm

FIREWORKS VIEW: St John's Church in Leytonstone is offering trips up its tower to watch London's firework displays. Live music and warm drinks will also be provided. Free, but prebook, 8pm

ALT FLAMENCO: The stupendously talented Flamenco Thief headlines a live music set at The Bedford, Balham. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Random London Fact Of The Day

Despite burning in effigy every bonfire night, Guy Fawkes was never executed for his role in the gunpowder conspiracy. While waiting on the scaffold in Old Palace Yard with a noose around his neck, the condemned Catholic launched himself off the platform by his own volition. Effectively, then, the manner of death was suicide rather than execution. Nevertheless, his limp body was disembowelled and quartered. Nor was Fawkes the ringleader of the gunpowder plot. That role belonged to Robert Catesby. Catesby also avoided a public execution, having been shot to death during his attempted arrest.

Weather

The rain clouds might have dampened some of the weekend's firework displays, but tonight's spectacles should be untroubled by rain. The whole day will be dry, with frequent sunny spells. With a moderate northerly wind in the evening, stand due south of the firework displays if you enjoy the mild peril of falling rocket debris. BBC Weather.

Secret Hidden False Rumour Of The Day
Guy Fawkes' role in the Gunpowder Plot has been unfairly overhyped. The Yorkshireman had originally suggested that the King might be given a sticky soaking with "ye olde coke and mentos devilry", but his co-conspirators over-ruled him and insisted on gunpowder.