The Datebook Winter spring 2020 Calendar of Events | Page 8

THE WIMBLEDON TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP All England Lawn and Croquet Club, Wimbledon (29th June - 12th July). Tel: [phone] JULY HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA Henley-on-Thames (1st-5th). 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 public attraction with a fair and other amusement, the emphasis rapidly changed so that rowing became its main purpose. Tel: Ticket Office, 01491 571900. www.hrr.co.uk 1 RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW PREVIEW EVENING Hampton Court Palace, 5pm. As the sun sets, listen to live music with 6 friends and family before tucking into a delicious picnic, enjoying an all-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: £72.75; Members: £62.75. www.rhs.org.uk RHS HAMPTON FLOWER SHOW Hampton Court Palace (7th-12th). 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 7 KEW THE MUSIC 2020 Royal Britannic Gardens, Kew (8th-12th). Sing away your Summer nights at Kew the Music picnic concerts. Acts include James Blunt, the Gipsy Kings, Jack Savoretti, Will Young and James Morrison. Tel: [phone]. www.kew.org 7 THE FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW - IWM, - Duxford, Cambridgeshire (11th-12th). This show is famous all over the world for its unique presentation of historic piston- engined aircraft in rare combinations and remarkable flying displays. Complementing the ‘wow’ factor in the air is 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] 125th PROMS SEASON Royal Albert Hall, London (17th-12th Sept). The 125th 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: [email protected] 17 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. The legend of the yellow pencil inspired much more than just the pencils, however. It’s also the origin of the 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 LONDON & UK DATEBOOK 29