More snow problems

There has now been snow in the UK for more than a month, and the weather is still causing chaos. Heathrow Airport was shut for a while at the weekend because of a heavy snowfall, and it has taken several days for flights to get back to normal. There have also been problems on Eurostar high-speed trains, but these have been caused by snowfall in France.

Weather experts are now saying that this is the coldest December in the UK for a hundred years. It seems our usual weather pattern, with warmer air coming from the South-West, has been disrupted and so we are getting Arctic cold instead.

There may be more snow to come, too. Some weather reports say there may be a thaw just after Christmas but this is not confirmed yet.

The snow has caused real problems for many people because it has come just before we celebrate Christmas. This is a time of year when people eat large meals, exchange presents and travel to see relatives and friends or to holiday abroad. The snow and ice has made it very difficult for people to shop and travel.

Royal family stay in the news

We already knew there would be a big Royal Wedding next year when Prince William marries his girlfriend Catherine Middleton. It has just been announced that there will be another wedding, though no date has been set.

The other wedding will be between Prince William's cousin, Zara Phillips, and her boyfriend, who plays rugby union for England. This wedding will be much smaller and less grand. Miss Phillips, who has no royal title and is 12th in line to the throne, is a professional rider who has represented the UK in international sporting events.

Big star, small venue

The 100 Club is one of the UK's most famous music venues. It is tucked away underground in London's Oxford Street. It has been a place where all the big names in music have played, and is a home for jazz performances.

But the 100 Club may have to close in the New Year because the rent has risen and it has financial problems. Many well-known musicians have said they will support the club's fight to stay open.

This week Paul McCartney, former member of the Beatles, did his bit to help. He performed at the club to the delight of 300 music fans who had come from all over the world. McCartney usually plays at much bigger venues.

What the UK watched on TV this year

The X Factor is a reality show, which over several months chooses a singer who gets a recording contract and the chance to release their first song at Christmas.

This year's X Factor final, shown a week ago, got the biggest TV audience of the year, with 17.7m viewers.

This figure is not yet confirmed but if it is correct, then the X Factor will have just beaten a World Cup football match between England and Germany for the biggest number of viewers.

Other programmes in the top 5 are another England World Cup match, and episodes of the most popular soap operas, EastEnders and Coronation Street.

by Susan Young
susan@englishuk.com