The further education sector has been celebrating its fifth year of independence. David Melville, chief executive of the FE funding council, explains what has put him in the party mood

JUST because you're dead there's no reason not to have a birthday party, writes Kate Watson-Smythe. Jeremy Bentham, the utilitarian philosopher and founder of University College London, will be 250 years old today and the college is throwing a party.

THE original lyrics to "Candle in the Wind 1997", the highest- selling single in history, were sold for $400,000 at a charity auction in Los Angeles to a foundation created by Walt Disney's daughter.

The ceremony of Blessing the Throats takes place in the church of St Etheldreda in London. Etheldreda died of a neck boil in the seventh century, apparently as punishment for wearing flashy necklaces in her youth. Her life and death are celebrated on 3 February, which is also the feast day of St Blaise. He saved a young man from choking to death on a wishbone, and was given food and candles by the boy's mother in gratitude. During the ceremony, sore throat sufferers are blessed by a priest, while two lighted candles joined by a ribbon are placed on either side of the supplicant's neck.

International outrage is growing over the massacre of 45 Mayan Indians in Mexico's troubled southern Chiapas province. Yet the state governor shows no sign of resigning.

Today we bring you the second half of this year's Melvyn Bragg Christmas Science Lecture, an annual institution which aims to bring scientific awareness to the public by bringing out the scientific principles on which Christmas is based. Professor Gene Jones is this year's speaker.

Nick Skelton had put the turmoil of moving house behind him yesterday, when he rode a whirlwind clear round on Virtual Village Showtime to win the Petplan Christmas Candle Stakes on the opening day of the Olympia Show Jumping Championships.

Starting today: a brand new business story, set in the remorseless world of retail shopping!

Less A pub, more a never-ending party experience. Just up the hill from Chalk Farm, but far enough away from Camden Market territory to be largely Goth-free, the Steeles attracts muzos, some of them quite famous (Noel and Meg are neighbours), assorted wild-child offspring of Hampstead bohos, and occasionally the ageing bohos themselves - all of whom seem to rub along passing well with the odd old Irish geezer who's been propping up the bar since before the Steeles was fashionable. Regulars are very regular indeed, hence the chummy atmosphere, and it's jam-packed by late evening, especially on Sundays, when the most unexpected people get down to foot-stomping jigs rendered by the best Irish session in town. Dress is uninhibited, and low lights, loads of candles and dusty shelves of old books feed the senses if you're feeling amorous. Reasons to go to the Steeles: to wear that microscopic leather thingy you haven't dared put on; to enjoy somewhere groovy but where lots of people are older than you; to remind yourself you could pull if you weren't so choosy.

Each of the following will deliver in time for Christmas, if you order by the date shown. If you intend a present to be sent direct to the recipient, check whether it will be gift-wrapped and arrive with a card.

Judy Green's Hampstead Garden Store aims to offer something for everyone, from serious gardeners who know their Floribunda from their Laxramblers to those who don't know a pansy from a peony. For pounds 35 upwards, the store will make up a hamper, which could contain a window box kit complete with gardening book and seeds, or a willow basket containing Crabtree & Evelyn's gardener's range. There is also a selection of antique gardening tools, discovered by Green on her buying trips all over Britain and Europe.

THE POLITICS OF EMOTION

Oxford Festival of Contemporary Music Orchestra of St John's/ Schola Cantorum, Smith Square, London

Britain's record stores sold out of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" yesterday within hours of the tribute to Princess Diana going on sale, write Vanessa Thorpe and Graham Ball.