Things to do
CULTURE MILE NIGHTS: Tonight's the first of three Culture Mile Nights, a programme of after-dark events that celebrates the night-time economy of Smithfield. Hear the stories of bar staff in the area at spoken word event Oi Barman! in the City, or take a candlelit tour of St Bartholomew The Great. Smithfield and surrounding area, most events free, booking required for some events, 21-23 November
WINTER WONDERLAND: Huge free Christmas festival Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park today. Funfair rides, theatre shows, an ice rink, an ice kingdom, Santa Land, a grotto, food and drink stalls, Christmas markets, a big wheel and much more are part of the fun this year. It’s free entry, but can get a bit spendy once you’re inside — you’ve been warned. Hyde Park, free entry, just turn up (but book ahead for some attractions), 21 November-5 January (shorter opening hours today, normal hours from tomorrow)
OXFORD STREET LIGHTS: Tonight’s the biggie — the Oxford Street Christmas lights are switched on for the season. They’re new lights this year — gone are the glittering orbs, replaced with high-tech LED boards. Plenty of events are going on around the street, including gigs in some of the stores. Oxford Street, free, just turn up, 5.30pm-10pm
LGBTQ TOURS: Strawberry Hill House launches LGBTQ house tours, focusing on the close group of male friends whom Horace Walpole brought in to help build his castle. The choice was both an avant garde architectural statement and a personal reflection of himself — find out more on the tour. Strawberry Hill House, £15, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
DRAG RACE: Start your engines for the final of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. This screening party begins with a discussion about the UK drag scene, followed by lip-syncing, live DJs, and of course, the grand finale itself. The Book Club, free-£8, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
SLEDGEHAMMER: Cult music video night Sledgehammer showcases the best music video work from the past few months, and also features an interview with an established director, and a showcase of work by a rising star All profits go to a fund for up-and-coming directors who want to break into business, and tickets include beer and a snack. This month, hear from Albert Moya, who has created videos for Foals. Wieden & Kennedy (Spitalfields), £7, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE: Author Iain MacGregor discusses his new book, Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth. Its publication coincides with the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the book includes interviews with the men who built it, the families who tried to cross it and the soldiers who guarded the checkpoints. Bell House (Dulwich), £9.21, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.30pm
HOLBORN VIADUCT: Infrastructure expert Lester Hillman gives a talk about Holborn Viaduct to mark the structure’s 150th anniversary. Hear its political, engineering, transport, commercial, literary and human history from the past century and a half discussed. Holborn Library, £2, just turn up, 7.30pm-9pm
RICHARD III'S WOMEN: Medieval history expert Dr Joanna Laynesmith gives a talk about the women in King Richard III's life, many of whom have been obscured from history, or whose stories have been mythologised. His mother, sisters, wife and sisters-in-law helped shape the War of the Roses, as shown in recent archive discoveries. The National Archives (Kew), £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
BOMB DISPOSAL: Hear from bomb disposal expert British Warrant Officer Kim Hughes, who received the George Cross in 2010 for his heroic service. He defused 120 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on one tour alone, including seven Taliban bombs with his bare hands in a single day. The George IV (Chiswick), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm (sponsor)
PANDEMIC 1918: It was the most devastating disease known to humankind since the Black Death, and a new book looks at the effects of Spanish Flu, which killed up to 100 million people. Author Catharine Arnold talks about her book, and specifically, the effect Spanish Flu had on London, as witnessed by Virginia Woolf, Duff Cooper, Vera Brittain and many other Londoners. Highgate Cemetery, £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Hey, Buckingham Palace. I fixed your roundel for you. You're welcome.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Got some old garden tools you no longer need? Even broken ones? The Tools Shed project is a great way to recycle your unloved shears, shovels, rakes and hoes. Drop off your tools at one of the collection points, and they'll find their way into the hands of people who need them. The tools are refurbished in prison workshops, providing training for prisoners and supporting them in finding occupations post-release. Once fixed up, the tools are distributed to community gardening groups and schools to help beautify our city. Current drop-off points in our region include The Remakery in Brixton, and RHS Wisley near Woking. Garden centres, DIY centres or other organisations interested in having a collecting box for old tools, or else community groups who might benefit from the tools, should contact the Conservation Foundation (which runs the Tools Shed project) via its website.
What we're reading
- In search of London's oldest door.
- Titian masterpieces to be reunited at National Gallery exhibition.
- Additional entrance planned for West Ham station.
- Dalston tenants see sunlight in their homes for the first time in three years after giant ad board is removed from their windows.
