St George’s Day

[Voyager EMH]

Sadly, or maybe not, England (and to a lesser degree the rest of the UK) has become a real melting pot of nations, cultures and beliefs and so it is inevitable that our own identity has become watered down. Add in the politics and do go gooders having their tuppence worth and perhaps it isn't a surprise. The flag has been "hijacked" by so called football fans, and members of certain political beliefs, As an example my trust employs 7,800 employess and we have 59 countries represented so it is no surprise all of that comes out. Am I saddened by the way St George is or isn't remembered. Not really. I do remember back in the 80's a lot of local pubs doing promotions around the day and the golf club has tried to do themed days in the past but they seem less inclined as take up was never that great

And so it has been throughout all the centuries not merely the most recent one or two.

England was a Celtic place before the Roman takeover.
When they left there was a division and struggle for dominance between Saxon and Danish (Viking) dominance.
Then there was a French/Norman invasion causing a division between ruling class and common people.
Then the Norman ruling class divided itself in two and we had another struggle for power between Yorkists and Lancastrians who still mostly spoke Norman French.
Other conflicts ensued eg between two religious groups and we had an anti-monarchy faction for a bit.

While Wales, Scotland and Ireland have retained some Celtic identity through 2000 years, England has failed to embrace theirs.
But England has not replaced it with anything clearly identifiable and thus leaving a void.

Culture is mainly geographic and historic.
England merely needs to embrace and celebrate its history and geography on a national day as most of the rest of the world does.
As for the people in a place having varied backgrounds - so what? The place and its history is what we are celebrating, or should be.

 

[Fade and Die]

And so it has been throughout all the centuries not merely the most recent one or two.

England was a Celtic place before the Roman takeover.
When they left there was a division and struggle for dominance between Saxon and Danish (Viking) dominance.
Then there was a French/Norman invasion causing a division between ruling class and common people.
Then the Norman ruling class divided itself in two and we had another struggle for power between Yorkists and Lancastrians who still mostly spoke Norman French.
Other conflicts ensued eg between two religious groups and we had an anti-monarchy faction for a bit.

While Wales, Scotland and Ireland have retained some Celtic identity through 2000 years, England has failed to embrace theirs.
But England has not replaced it with anything clearly identifiable and thus leaving a void.

Culture is mainly geographic and historic.
England merely needs to embrace and celebrate its history and geography on a national day as most of the rest of the world does.
As for the people in a place having varied backgrounds - so what? The place and its history is what we are celebrating, or should be.

What exactly do you mean? Because apart from sport, everything I think of as English is really British…Empire, for good and bad, Industrial Revolution, 1000s of inventions that have made the world a better place, the NHS, the Legal system, Government structure, are all British things, the country is Britain and Scotland, England, NI and Wales are just regions of it.
No need for wearing silly wigs and hats. Just leave that to the insecure types.

 

[KenL]

What exactly do you mean? Because apart from sport, everything I think of as English is really British…Empire, for good and bad, Industrial Revolution, 1000s of inventions that have made the world a better place, the NHS, the Legal system, Government structure, are all British things, the country is Britain and Scotland, England, NI and Wales are just regions of it.
No need for wearing silly wigs and hats. Just leave that to the insecure types.

 

[Voyager EMH]

What exactly do you mean? Because apart from sport, everything I think of as English is really British…Empire, for good and bad, Industrial Revolution, 1000s of inventions that have made the world a better place, the NHS, the Legal system, Government structure, are all British things, the country is Britain and Scotland, England, NI and Wales are just regions of it.
No need for wearing silly wigs and hats. Just leave that to the insecure types.

England should celebrate its regional culture in the same way as the other regions do.
There's a lot of history.
Heroic defeats to celebrate - Boudicca, Harold, as well as victories - Spanish Armada, Waterloo.
Pagan past - Stonehenge, Celtic gods.
Myths and legends - King Arthur, Robin Hood

I really can't see any difference with other regions or other countries. There really should be no problem.

And its what most of the rest of the world manages to do.

 

[Fade and Die]

England should celebrate its regional culture in the same way as the other regions do.
There's a lot of history.
Heroic defeats to celebrate - Boudicca, Harold, as well as victories - Spanish Armada, Waterloo.
Pagan past - Stonehenge, Celtic gods.
Myths and legends - King Arthur, Robin Hood

I really can't see any difference with other regions or other countries. There really should be no problem.

And it’s what most of the rest of the world manages to do.

You are forgetting our quintessential reserve.

 

[Voyager EMH]

You are forgetting our quintessential reserve.

A real challenge to celebrate that.
Perhaps a special day of impeccable good manners?

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Yes, that’s why I said similar in fear of encroaching on a subject that may be banned on here.

Well banned for most but some obviously like to have their little digs……

 

[Crazyface]

I flew the St Georges flag on my flag pole in the garden and have one in the bedroom window facing the street. I also wore my England shirt in the morning.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I flew the St Georges flag on my flag pole in the garden and have one in the bedroom window facing the street. I also wore my England shirt in the morning.

If only there was a sweepstake

 

[Hobbit]

Help required. Born in England to an English father and an Irish mother. One grandfather was Welsh.

I have a choice of a British or Irish passport.

What nationality am I?

And then the other contentious issue.

Protestant father and a Catholic mother. One grandfather refused to go to their wedding.

And when I, a good Catholic boy, married a Protestant girl my mum, in her best quiet voice, told everyone us Catholics have no problem going into a Protestant church.

Seriously, the vast majority of us just get on with enjoying life. It's the nut jobs, politicians and priests that cause the problems.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Help required. Born in England to an English father and an Irish mother. One grandfather was Welsh.

I have a choice of a British or Irish passport.

What nationality am I?

And then the other contentious issue.

Protestant father and a Catholic mother. One grandfather refused to go to their wedding.

And when I, a good Catholic boy, married a Protestant girl my mum, in her best quiet voice, told everyone us Catholics have no problem going into a Protestant church.

Seriously, the vast majority of us just get on with enjoying life. It's the nut jobs, politicians and priests that cause the problems.

You are






Normal well close enough



I’m born in England to Irish mother and English dad whose parents were Irish

I have a British and Irish Passport

 

[GreiginFife]

If only there was a sweepstake

Sweepstake? More like Bingo.

 

[Fade and Die]

If only there was a sweepstake

Emily Thornbury is that you?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Emily Thornbury is that you?

Who

 

[Voyager EMH]

Who

Some Irish woman whose father was professor of law at London School of Economics and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.
She became a barrister, was shadow attorney general for a while and is currently Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

 

[Fade and Die]

Some Irish woman whose father was professor of law at London School of Economics and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.
She became a barrister, was shadow attorney general for a while and is currently Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

And what else… Mebbe St George related

 

[Pin-seeker]

Be proud to be British???
The country’s gone to

 

[Voyager EMH]

And what else… Mebbe St George related

Saint who?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Saint who?

Dod

 

[AussieKB]

I thought you were not allowed to celebrate St. George's Day.......

the woke have spoken.