Issue 151: data validation as S3 generic

[athowes]

Description

This PR closes #151.

I named it epidist_validate following convention of other generics in the package.

Checklist

• My PR is based on a package issue and I have explicitly linked it.
• I have included the target issue or issues in the PR title in the for Issue(s) issue-numbers: PR title
• I have read the contribution guidelines.
• I have tested my changes locally.
• I have added or updated unit tests where necessary.
• I have updated the documentation if required.
• My code follows the established coding standards.
• I have added a news item linked to this PR.
• I have reviewed CI checks for this PR and addressed them as far as I am able.

[seabbs]

LGTM