Museum of Brands - Women in Advertising & Professional Development Programme

Women in Advertising: Changing Trends The Museum is looking at the portrayal of Women in Advertising with a series of talks and events. The activities begin on March 8, International Women’s Day, with a specially commissioned short filmChanging Trends of Female Representation in TV Commercials with commentary by Lindsey Clay, CEO of Thinkbox. Read more Half-Term Family Fun Adventure bags, design activities and trails available for families and children from 14 to 19 February. Invent a new soup flavour, design a chocolate box and go on a pop culture hunt. Discover our Time Tunnel, café and garden. Don't forget, under 7s enter for free. Read more Gender & Advertising Talks The representation of gender in advertising has shifted considerably over the generations – often controversial, more often challenging.  At the Museum we are very excited to be able to explore these changes with lunch time talks at 2pm on 10, 24 March and 7 and 21 April. The talks are free with admission. No need to book. Read more Summer Parties Looking for a summer party venue? Make the most of our award-winning garden and let your guests party amongst our 12,000 iconic exhibits. We have loads of surprises in store to give you a great night, from beer ice cream to brand-focused quizzes. Contact Francesca on 020 72439612 to get your summer party started. Professional Development  The Sensory Branding Masterclass on 6 February marks the launch of our Professional Development Programme aimed at those working in industries related to the Museum. On April 4 we’ll be running a workshop on Creating A Successful Personal Brand, and on May 17 we’ll hold a talk on Neuroscience – Why People Buy. Book early as availability is limited. Educator's Network Event Do you know someone who works as an educator? Help us spread the word by forwarding this invite to them or come along yourself if you fit this description.  On Monday 6 February, 6-8pm, teachers are welcomed to experience our learning programme at our buzzy Educator’s Network. Its free for teachers to attend. Book here Coming up: Mother's Day Treat your Mum to Mother’s Day at the Museum of Brands. Hear the behind the scenes story of the collection, and discover how mothers have been portrayed in packaging and advertising from Victorian times to present day. Find more information and book your tickets here.

BBC Audience - Jo Whiley Presents BBC Introducing for Radio 2

Jo Whiley Presents BBC Introducing for Radio 2 Jo Whiley presents a two-hour special live from BBC Maida Vale Studios with performances from four of the UK's most exciting new talents for 2017; Anoushka Lucas, Betsy, Jodie Abacus and Wildwood Kin. Each artist has been hand picked by Jo Whiley, Jamie Cullum and Bob Harris to perform and have all been supported through the BBC's new music initiative BBC Introducing. We have 60 pairs of tickets to give away to this exclusive event so register your details now for your chance to be there. Registration is open until 9pm on Thursday 2 February. Tickets are free and will be allocated at random. Date: Wednesday 8 February Venue: BBC Maida Vale Studios Doors open: 7.30pm Recording starts: 8pm To enter the random draw visit bbc.co.uk/showsandtours. Good luck! BBC Shows and Tours Apply Now

Londoners celebrate Chinese New Year with party in Trafalgar Square

Image copyrightPA

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of central London to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The annual event sees dancing lions, acrobats and floats parade from Shaftesbury Avenue to Trafalgar Square.

Image copyrightPA

The new year, also known as the Spring Festival, is based on the lunar Chinese calendar so it changes each year.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image copyrightAFP

Each year is marked by one of 12 animals that appear on the Chinese zodiac. This year is the year of the Rooster.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image copyrightREUTERS

The event in London is said to be one of the biggest outside Asia.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Kew Gardens - Countdown for The Orchids Festival begins.

Just only a week away, escape the winter blues and become immersed in a visual feast of colour and elaborate botanical displays. Expect backdrops of elephants and tigers created from exotic orchids and tropical plants to intense hues of Phalaenopsis drops delicately hung from the ceilings. Read more here

Orchids Festival Gift Ticket Give someone a chance to enjoy our colourful celebration of India’s vibrant plants and culture for free, with a special Orchids Festival gift ticket. An ideal birthday or anniversary treat, our gift tickets are just £14*. They can be used for a visit on any day of the Festival, which runs from 4 February to 5 March. *You must opt to receive or send your Orchids Festival ticket(s) by post, to receive them in gift format. There is a fee of £1.95. Gift tickets can only be used during Festival daytime opening hours, and are not valid for Orchids Lates events. Buy here

Enter our competition To help celebrate the launch of this year’s Orchids Festival, GAIL’S Artisan Bakery have created limited edition bespoke Indian spiced Cardamom Buns in stores surrounding Kew. Pop in to try one and for a chance to win a night’s stay at The Hilton Syon Park Hotel and more. Find out more here

Orchids Lates* Every Tuesday and Thursday in Kew Gardens 9 February–2 March £15 (£13.50 for Friends of Kew) The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens will be opening after dark for a series of intimate evenings of performance, workshops, food and shopping amongst the Festival displays celebrating India’s vibrant flora and culture. Limited space available here

ZSL - Half term family fun and night vision cameras!

Ready... Vet... GO! This February half term, join us for a special week of interactive family activities at our Vets in Action event at both ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For one week only, children are invited to step into the shoes of our extraordinary vet team at the Animal Hospital, an exciting role-playing experience for budding veterinarians. All junior vets will be kitted out with gloves and masks before joining the Zoo team in our specially-created animal surgery. Here they will learn how to examine, x-ray and perform treatments on the animals, using soft toys, from our animal experts. You can also make the most of our packed schedule of talks and activities where you will find out what goes on behind the scenes to make sure that every single animal remains happy and healthy in our care.

ZSL LONDON ZOO       ZSL WHIPSNADE ZOO         A VERY WARM WELCOME Shake off those winter chills and transport yourself into the heart of the Amazon at ZSL London Zoo. Step into Rainforest Life - the capital's only living rainforest - and come face to face with a variety of wonderful species including sloths, monkeys and armadillos. FIND OUT MORE         NIGHT VISION SPOTS AFTER DARK ANTICS Motion sensitive camera traps have revealed for the first time what the animals at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo get up to after dark. Zookeepers installed the cameras to allow them to remotely observe the Zoo’s herd of fallow deer. Find out what we discovered... READ MORE       ZSL ZOO TO ZOO BIKE RIDE Brand new for 2017, sign up to take part in ZSL's first ever cycling challenge. Our Zoo to Zoo Bike Ride begins at ZSL London Zoo and will see hundreds of fundraisers pedal up to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to help raise money for wildlife conservation. Spaces are limited so apply today! SIGN UP TODAY         SPEND THE NIGHT ON VALENTINE'S Escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and indulge in a romantic overnight stay in the heart of Land of the Lions. BOOK NOW       BECOME A ZSL MEMBER Create lasting memories with ZSL by becoming a member. Enjoy unlimited Zoo visits as well as a host of other benefits. JOIN NOW         ZSL LONDON ZOO STAMPEDE It's not every day that you can go for a run through the Zoo! Get involved with London's most unusual 10k event. FIND OUT MORE       BE A ZOOKEEPER FOR A DAY A once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with some of ZSL’s most popular animals! FIND OUT MORE