When the British summer pokes its face out from behind the clouds, the last place you want to be is indoors. You'd rather be out there soaking up the sun, walking about in shades, and perhaps, if it's warm enough, showing your pasty legs to the world for the first time in months.
In recent years, the various authorities that make up the capital have come to realise the popularity of having big screens outdoors during the summer months, allowing Londoners to lounge about on the grass while enjoying a movie or two.
Down at
Canary Wharf they've had a slightly different idea – to show live
sports events. The organisers obviously thought long and hard about what to call it, searching hard for a catchy name that would encapsulate the meaning of the event and snappily sum up the essence of what it's all about - they came up with "
the Big Screen". At least no one can be confused about what to expect: there'll be a screen, and it'll be really big.
It's a neat idea to screen sports events. The atmosphere will be much more exciting watching as part of a large crowd, rather than sitting at home on your tod.
Events include Royal Ascot (you could organise a sweepstake among some friends), Wimbledon (forget Henman Hill, go and enjoy yourself at Canary Wharf Corner), the Open Golf Championship (a more leisurely affair one imagines, to be enjoyed with wine and sandwiches), and, to please the petrol heads, lots of Formula 1 races.
Here's the full line-up:
Thursday 16 & Friday 17 June: Royal Ascot
- Monday 20 June – Sunday 3 July: Wimbledon tennis
- Friday 24 - Sunday 26 June: Formula 1 European Grand Prix
- Friday 8 – Sunday 10 July – Barclays Scottish Golf Open
- Friday 8 – Sunday 10 July – Formula 1 British Grand Prix
- Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 July – The Open Golf Championship
- Friday 22 - Sunday 24 July – Formula 1 German Grand Prix
- Friday 29 - Sunday 31 July – Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
- Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August – Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
If sport is really not your thing, you'll be happy to know the Big Screen will also be showing some interesting archive footage of
ye olde London, as well as highlights of the BBC Proms. You'll even be able to get involved in some interactive onscreen games.
If you prefer your entertainment in an outdoor setting when the temperatures are high(er) and the nights are long, head to Canada Square Park beside Canary Wharf for some summer entertainment.
