The Datebook datebook_winter_spring2019_digital_ARTWORK | Page 31

you-can-eat Summer Feast or
savouring a meal in one of the
restaurants. A magnificent fireworks
display against the stunning Palace
provides the perfect finish to a
magical evening. Price: £70;
Members: £60. www.rhs.org.uk
RHS HAMPTON FLOWER SHOW
Hampton Court Palace
(2nd-7th).
This great garden festival is set in the
exceptional grounds of King Henry
VIII’s former palace. A highlight of the
Summer! Enjoy a first look at the
spectacular gardens and floral
displays. www.rhs.org.uk
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HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
Henley-on-Thames (3rd-7th).
Henley Royal Regatta was first held in
1839 and has been held annually
ever since, except during the Two
World Wars. Originally staged by the
Mayor and people of Henley as a
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public attraction with a fair and other
amusements, the emphasis rapidly
changed so that rowing became its
main purpose. Tel: Ticket Office,
01491 571900.
www.hrr.co.uk
KEW THE MUSIC 2019
Royal Britannic Gardens,
Kew (9th-14th).
Sing away your Summer nights at Kew
the Music picnic concerts. Acts
include Steps, the Gipsy Kings
featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonnino
Baliardo, The Human League, and
Boyzone plus Jools Holland and his
Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Tel: 020
8332 5655. www.kew.org
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THE FLYING LEGENDS AIR
SHOW - IWM, Buxford,
Cambridgeshire
(13th-14th).
This show is famous all over the world
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for its unique presentation of
historic piston-engined aircraft in
rare combinations and remarkable
flying displays. Complementing the
‘wow’ factor in the air if the
authentic 1940’s atmosphere that
can be experienced across the
museum. It’s closest you can get to
being back at RAF Duxford in its
flying heyday.
Tel: [phone].
124th PROMS SEASON
Royal Albert Hall, London
(19th-8th Sept).
The 124th season of the BBC
Proms, the world’s largest classical
music festival, presents the world’s
leading artists and orchestras as
well as a host of talks, workshops,
free performances and family
events. Tel: [phone].
E-mail: boxofficeenquiries@
royalalberthall.com
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Ever Wondered Why
Pencils (and the Datebook)
are Always Yellow?
P
encils have been painted yellow ever since
the late 19th Century, with good reason!
During this era, the best graphite in the world
came from China. American pencil makers
wanted their customers to know that their
pencils contained Chinese graphite, so they
painted them yellow.
Chinese culture associated the colour yellow with
royalty and respect. Thus American manufacturers
chose the bright yellow to communicate this “regal”
feeling and link with China. The rest, as they say, is
history.
Datebook yellow.
The Datebook began as a reference for charities to
check which dates were free from fundraising
events.
We chose an eye-catching, bright colour to freshen
up the publication – and because we were a ‘calendar
of events’ bright yellow was the natural choice.
The hue was inspired by the bright yellow pencils
people historically would have used to write
appointments in their datebooks. In those days there
were no iPads, laptops or mobile phones with diaries –
everyone had a datebook, and everyone had a yellow
pencil.
The legend of the yellow pencil inspired much more than
just the pencils, however. It’s also the origin of the
THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
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