Things to do
GROWN UP IN BRITAIN: Ugly Duck hosts a weekend dedicated to stories of being young. Grown Up In Britain is an exhibition telling the stories of people who have grown up over the past 70 years. Photos, flyers, digital and analogue projections all feature, along with iconic youth culture ephemera such as scooters and vintage motorcycles. Ugly Duck (London Bridge), free, RSVP on Facebook, 14-17 November
LOVE NOT LANDFILL: As part of its campaign to prevent clothes from going to landfill, Love Not Landfill opens a pop-up shop. Browse and buy collections from charity shops which have been curated by fashion influencers, find out more about eco-friendly fashion options, and learn how to repair and upcycle your clothes. Seven Dials, free, just turn up, 14-17 November
GUN SALUTES: Brace yourself for a series of gun salutes today, marking the birthday of Prince Charles. It begins with 41 rounds in Hyde Park at 12pm, followed by 62 rounds at the Tower of London at 1pm. Free, just turn up, 12pm/1pm
SAVING THE WORLD: Get ready to think bigly for a theatre performance/talk about sustainability, and what you can do to save the world. The interactive show explores how individuals, finance and policy can come together to help the world's climate. Broadgate Theatre, £5, book ahead, 12.30pm-1.30pm
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Today it's Regent Street's turn to have its Christmas lights switched on. The street closes to traffic for the afternoon with entertainment all over the place. Heart presenters Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden host the show, with live music from The Script. Free, just turn up, 4pm-9pm. Lights are also switched on neighbouring St James's, where Jermyn Street is pedestrianised (5pm-9pm), and Seven Dials (6.30pm). See our full guide to Christmas light switch-ons in London.
TUDOR COURT: Hear about the turbulent politics of mid-Tudor England, with particular reference to Sir Thomas Gresham. Under his service to three monarchs, Gresham's intellectual forward-thinking stood him in good stead, allowing him to forge relationships with important people, including Queen Elizabeth I herself. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free entry, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
CLOSING THE ASYLUMS: Hear social and cultural historian Dr Louise Hide talk about the closure of psychiatric hospitals dating from the Victorian era. In the mid-1950s, 150,000 people were still being treated in psychiatric hospitals across England and Wales — find out how they had all closed by the end of the century, and ask your questions on the topic. Wellcome Collection (Euston), free, book ahead, 6pm-7pm
THE NEXT LIFE: 2011 documentary The Next Life tells the story of a Chinese couple who lost their only daughter in the Great Sichuan Earthquake. This screening of the feature length film is followed by a Q&A with director Fan Jian. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
THE FLY: Watch 1958 horror/sci-fi film The Fly, about scientists who push the boundaries of exploration too far, resulting in a fly with a man's head, and a man with a fly's head and arm. They certainly don't make 'em like they used to. Or maybe they do. The Old Operating Theatre (London Bridge), £12, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
UNDERGROUND SERIAL KILLER: Ever heard of Kieran Patrick Kelly? Despite being one of the UK's most prolific serial killers, his name isn't that well known. Retired Scotland Yard detective Dr. Geoff Barton — who met Kelly ten minutes before he killed his final victim, and spent a year getting to know him — talks about the London Underground serial killer. From pushing his best friend in front of a tube train, he went on a killing spree that lasted almost three decades. Landor Road, Clapham (address provided on booking), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm (sponsor)
FLYING SAUCERS: This month's South East London Folklore Society meeting focuses on flying saucers. Are they real, or just a modern myth? UFO enthusiast Paula Dempsey looks at the history of the phenomenon, dating back to the 1940s, covering topics such as where they come from and who pilots them. The Old King's Head (Borough), £5/£3, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
I've never owned a Christmas jumper; never even considered buying one of the wretched things. But then I saw this in the Transport Museum shop, and I am ever so slightly tempted.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book now to take part in the Crisis Icebreaker — a chilly plunge into Tooting Bec Lido — on 18 January. Just jump in, or swim a length — or take part in a relay team. Get sponsored for doing so, with funds raised going to homelessness charity Crisis. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Review concludes that HS2 should go ahead, despite rising costs.
- What's wrong with London's cycling quietways, and why it's about to get even worse.
- British curator Guy Casely-Hayford appointed as director of the new V&A East.
- Violent offenders tracked by GPS in 24 London boroughs.
