A TOWN IN AMERICA WHERE THEY SPEAK ENGLISH...

There's a small American town 2,500 miles away from the Mexican border which has be designated English as its official language !! (Don't blame them, it's a lovely language).

'Jackson' is in New York state and has a population of 1, 700 of which most are white with just a handful of Spanish speaking farm workers.

But apparently inhabitants were determined to protect their English speaking heritage after condemning the federal government for not acting.

And although the town has no shops, schools or even a church all business must be conducted in English.

Another nearby town called Argyle (sounds more Scottish to me) has passed a similar resolution while another, Easton, will debate the issue next month.

Unfortunately even though supporters claim the moves high light support for curbing immigration and preserve the culture which many fear is under threat in some states, the New York Civil Liberties Union wants the laws all to be repealed.

THE BRITISH WEATHER....

What is it about us Brits that we are so obsessed with the weather.

Every time we go into a shop we comment on the weather, we chat about it on the phone, while out walking a dog, over dinner in a Restaurant. In fact, we just don't stop talking about it.  A survey has shown that we spend nearly six months just 'talking' about the weather.

Apparently the British in particular are obsessed with the English weather.

It's one of the most common ways to start a conversation, and I feel sorry for the check-out staff at supermarkets which must listen to people talking about the weather all day long.

We spend almost five times a day talking about it and spend longer discussing it, then on sport or work!

Women talk about it more than chatting about their men, love lives and gossip.

Even Twitter gets 500,000 'tweets' about it, and as for older people, well we have three times as many conversations about it and still believe in old wives tales, such as, cows sitting down (rain comes) something I 'always' say and the family make fun of me and of course, red sky at night is legendary.

These findings prove that we are a nation who is totally obsessed with the weather and with our unusually cold winter, millions of conversations at the moment are about the weather.

WHAT THE FAMOUS CARNABY STREET IN LONDON HAS TO OFFER...

Many fashion traditions were broken during the 1960s, especially those in the United Kingdom. But the most famous street of all in London which housed independent fashion boutiques and designers was 'Carnaby Street'.

According to wikipedia, by the 1960's, Carnaby Street proved for followers of both the Mod and hippie styles. Many independent fashion boutiques, and designers such as Mary Quant, Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, Lord John, Merc, Take Six, and Irvine Sellars were located in Carnaby Street as well as various underground music bars such as the Roaring Twenties in the surrounding streets.

With bands such as Small Faces, The Who, and Rolling Stones appearing in the area to work (with the legendary Marquee Club located round the corner in Wardour Street), shop, and socialize, it became one of the coolest destinations associated with the Swinging London of the 1960's.

Harry Fox and Henry Moss opened the first ladies boutique in Carnaby Street called "Lady Jane" in 1966.

The Carnaby Street contingent of Swinging London stormed into North American and international awareness with the April 15, 1966 publication of Time magazine's cover and article that extolled this street's role:

The Carnaby Street website now
Womenswear
Menswear
Children's Fashion
Hair, Health & Beauty
Home & Lifestyle
Accessories
Cafes
Bars
Restaurants
Nightlife
Fitness
Hotels
Newburgh Quarter
Kingly Court

THE VERY BRITISH 'WOMAN'S WEEKLY' MAGAZINE...

Woman's Weekly has been running for over 100 years and is still one of the best selling women's magazines on the market.

It had everything a woman could want in the publication from fashion to weight loss.

Some of the advice was on recipes where housewives could earn a 'half a crown' by sending in their favourite recipe.

Readers offers were a little bit different from ours nowadays, with an offer of an 'ABSOLUTELY FREE' booklet of powder leaves, used to scent gloves and handkerchiefs with every purchase of a 2d packet of Oatine shampoo or toilet soap.

Fashion tips were ones we should learn from with for 6d, women could send off for a dress pattern of their choice (they mostly made their own).However, waists in those days were a small 26"!!!

Their answer to weight loss to keep slim was by taking a treatment called Antipon, which, they said contained 'vegetable ingredients of a quite harmless nature' and promised would shed 'between 8oz and 3lbs in the first 24 hours!( I could do with some of that).

Some of these vintage women's magazines have been selling on ebay for quite a lot of money with a vintage Vogue fetching nearly £50. Whenever I go to a charity shop I always look to see if they have any put away in a corner somewhere but I have only been lucky once.

AS BRITISH AS FISH AND CHIPS...

Did you know that according to Wikepedia fish and chips first appeared in the 1860's and by 1910 there were more than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK, and by the 1930's there were over 35,000. The National Federation of Fish Friers say that there are now 8,500 fish and chip shops across the UK.

Historic UK site says that the potato is though to have been brought into England from the New World of the 17th century by Sir Walter Raleigh although it is believed that it was the French who invented the fried potato chip.

In 1839 Charles Dickens referred to a 'fried fish warehouse' in his novel, 'Oliver Twist'. The first fish and chip shop is believed to have been in Mossely, Lancashire in the North of England. It was sold from a wooden hut in the market and then later transferred to a permanent shop which had an inscription on its window which said ' this is the first fish and chip shop in the world'.

Towards the latter part of the 19th century and well into the next century, the fish and chip trade expanded satisfying the needs of the growing industrial population of the UK. Then the steam trawler brought fish from all over the North Atlantic, Iceland and Greenland and the steam railways meant the fish was distributed easily around the country.

Apparently in 1931 fish and chips became so essential in the British diet that one shop in Bradford had to employ a doorman to control the queue at busy times. Even the Territorial Army enjoyed it with special catering tents erected at training camps in order to give them fish and chips before battle.

The National Federation of Fish Friers said that in 1999, the British consumed nearly 300 million servings of fish and chips which equates to six servings to every man, woman and child in the country. The British Fish and Chips is by far the nation's favourite take-away.

THE BRITISH LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS...

Discover in this stunning portfolio of award-winning photographs, a celebration of British life in all of its most captivating forms. Interest in photography has never been higher, with high end digital cameras now available to all and sundry as well as expert photographers who regularly document around the world. The British Life Photography Awards exist to celebrate that interest, that expertise and the very best of British reportage, documentary and street photography.

This book collects the winners and celebrates the best of the rest, with hundreds of eye-opening images giving a thought provoking, beautiful and refreshing view of life in the UK today.

Available from Amazon at only £1.29 for hardcover version of it.

DO YOU HAVE ROYAL BLOOD?...

Do you have Royal Blood? Wouldn't you love to know if you or anyone in your family has any royal blood in them.

Well if you go to Ancestry you can soon find out if this is possible. On the Ancestry website it says that according to a new study of unique last names from around the world, moving in or out of the upper class doesn't take just a few generations, it takes centuries.

So, anyone could have royal blood in their family. If you have a unique surname, or even if your last name is Smith, Ancestry can help you find out where your ancestors worked, how well they were educated, and how long they lived - all signs, according to researchers, of their place in the social hierarchy.

THE UK's MOST BEAUTIFUL #BEER GARDENS...

According to Stylist  UK has some of the most beautiful beer gardens.

They say that .....

"There are some things that British summertime just wouldn’t be complete without. Drinking Pimms out of a plastic cup in your local park; striding determinedly into a steel-grey sea, gritting your teeth as the icy water reaches your bikini bottoms; buying a ‘99’ from an ice cream van and reflecting sadly on the fact that they no longer cost 99p.

But possibly the most beyond-crucial ingredient is the classic British beer garden. From seafront seating in Brighton, to trendy roof terraces in Leeds and secret courtyards in Soho, we've got some of the UK's best right here ".

 From The Farm Pub  tucked away in Bristol's leafy St. Werburgh's district, as its name suggests has the feel of a proper countryside pub. It's big green garden is a balm for the soul, and there's a great selection of local cider at the bar. 

Hopetoun Road, Bristol, BS2 9YL; thefarmpub.co.uk

To the oldest pub along the Thames, The Ship is South London is about as close to the water as its possible to be without actually being a ship. It's been open since 1786 and you can watch the sun set from decked waterfront beer garden, close to Wandsworth Bridge. 

41 Jews Row, Wandsworth, SW18 1TB;theship.co.uk

Head down to The Stylist website for a choice of 30 of the best beer gardens.

THE #QUEEN'S HOUSES...

The Queen's Houses is an outstanding book written by Alan Titchmarsh. In the book, Alan takes us on a tour of the royal residences, where he examines the personal stories behind these magnificent buildings.

The Queen has dedicated her life to the public - every move is scrutinsed, every word noted. But her homes are havens where peace can be found,  and away from watchful eyes.

Through personal reflections, interviews with royal staff and meticulous historic research. Alan looks beyond the formal grandeur of Buckingham Palace, the imposing structure of Windsor Castle and the private escape offered by Balmoral and others. 

It has illustrations with intimate family photographs and evocative memorabilia and offers a glimpse of life behind the state banquets and sovereign duties.

A unique book that any royalist would love to enjoy and keep on their bookshelf. Available from Amazon and other good book shops. 

NATIONAL #PET MONTH - APRIL 1st - MAY 2nd...

We Brits LOVE our pets ( well, most of us do). My gorgeous little Bess (above) was with us for 15 fantastic years until she passed away last year. I miss her sooooooo much.

National Pet Month 2016 is running from 1st April - 2nd May. Two leading businesses are joining forces with National Pet Month to help promote responsible pet ownership and encourage pet fans to raise vital funds for UK charities.

Their Facebook page has all the information you need to get involved with National Pet Month/ Another Facebook page with details is Scratching Post  which is mainly cat related but lots of stories and great pictures to look at.

You can become a supporter of National Pet Month at their website and get help with your fund raising event.

THE BEAUTIFULLY #BRITISH PENNINE WAY...

The Pennine's Way, is arguable England's longest and finest footpath, which runs from the Peaks, in Derbyshire, to the Scottish border, over rough moors and over grown Roman roads. But it's certainly no walk for the inexperienced.

It has something to offer every long distance walker. The 270-mile walk will take your from the Peak District National Park along the Pennine ridge through the Yorkshire Dales, up into Northumberland, and across the Cheviots, and into the Scottish Borders. 

If you like a bit of history and culture then you will find that on this walk. Starting at the scene of the Kinder Scout mass trespasses of the 1930s, you will walk through the Southern Pennines, cradle of the Industrial Revolution, pass Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, cross the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales, follow the Settle to Carlisle Railway and enter a huge Pennine area that was exploited by every kind of mining activity, the lead industry in particular, as well as The Roman Wall and beyond the territory of the Scottish Borders.

The National Trails Website has lots of details on how to plan your visit.  

#QUEEN ELIZABETH 11 COMMEMORATIVE 90TH BIRTHDAY COIN...

To commemorate the Queens 90th Birthday milestone, a new 90th portrait of Her Majesty has been issued on the new Queen's 90th Birthday Coin.

Only one limited edition of the Queen Elizabeth 11 90th Birthday coin is allowed per household so claim yours today...

                                 

THE BRITISH OBSESSION WITH THE WEATHER...

Did you know that a survey has shown that the British spend nearly six months just 'talking' about the weather. Apparently we are obsessed with the English weather. It's one of the most common ways to start a conversation, which check-out staff at supermarkets have to listen to time and time again.

We spend almost five times a day talking about ti and spend longer discussing it than we do discussing sport or work!!

Women talk about it more than chatting about their men, love lives and gossip and twitter gets around 500,000+ tweets a week about it.

Older people apparently have three times as many conversations about it and still believe in old wives tales, such as , cows sitting down (rain comes) and red sky at night (shepherds delight). These findings prove that we are a nation who is totally obsessed with the weather and how we can go from one season to another in one day. 

Oh, and unfortunately the outlook for the Bank Holiday weekend is the usual mix of rain and sunshine. Nothing changed there then.....

BRITISH PIE WEEK - 2nd - 8th MARCH...

British Pie Week is from the 2nd - 8th March to celebrate the nations love of pies. New research has shown that 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month

To help you decide on which recipe you want to choose from they have developed a free British Pie Week recipe book full of delicious recipes with hints and tips on making the best pie.

Head down to the website and download the free recipe book.  

BRITISH PETS ARE THE MOST OVERWEIGHT...

Did you know that one in three British pets are overweight and 82% of vets run special clinics for overweight pets, according to a survey carried out in 2007.

As you can see from the photo my little girl is definitely NOT overweight. 

BLUEBELL HEAVEN IN BRITAIN...

It's nearly that time of year where Britain is swathed in beautiful bluebell masses in our mass of woodlands through the UK. This spectacular display is only found in northern Europe, but Britain contains more than half of the worlds population. Common bluebells are a protected specie in the UK and the main threat to their survival is people picking the flowers !!!

Below is a list of some of the most glorious places to enjoy these very pretty flowers on National Trustland.

Allen Banks & Staward Gorge, Northumberland
Explore the woods and discover the carpet of bluebells and wild garlic (ramsons) covering the woodland floor.
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
The 1.5-mile woodland trail has a beautiful display of bluebells beneath the bright-green beech canopy.
Blakes Wood, Essex
This 106-acre ancient woodland bursts into colour in spring with carpets of bluebells, primroses and yellow archangel.
Blickling, Norfolk
The wilderness garden and the woodland in the park are renowned for their bluebells-there's a breathtaking two acres of blue in spring, with a single cloud of white formed by a clump of wild garlic growing in its midst.
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Discover wonderful bluebell displays in the Great North Wood and take a three-mile Bluebell Walk with the estate warden on Friday, May 7, 11am-1.30pm.
Calke Park and Abbey, Derbyshire
With secret walks and 600 acres of parkland, much of it a National Nature Reserve. Among this ancient woodland, bluebells flower in abundance.
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
There are several way-marked walks throughout the parkland and wooded estate where you can take in the gorgeous bluebell displays.
Emmetts Garden, Kent
One of the highest points in Kent, with magnificent views of the Weald and North Downs. The woodland slopes are famed for their carpets of bluebells in spring
Hardcastle Crags, Yorkshire
A hidden beauty spot near Hebden Bridge. The three-mile Mill Walk is the ideal place to see a mass of bluebells in spring.
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
The 2.5-mile woodland walk and lime walk on the estate are both great ways to see the annual show of bluebells
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
At the start of the 1.5-mile Great Wood and Avenue Walk you'll come across the bluebell wood, famed for its carpet of colour in spring
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Wander up West Park Drive and enjoy a glorious bluebell display-along with great views across the Cheshire Plain
Nap Wood, Sussex
A tranquil woodland oasis along an ancient track of the Weald, which possibly dates back to the first few centuries AD. Mature tall trees tower above and a dense carpet of bluebells brightens the woodland floor in spring.
Osterley Park, Middlesex
One of the last surviving country estates in London, the garden and park are the perfect retreat from busy modern life. The bluebells appear late spring around the south and west woods
Rowallane Garden, County Down
This enchanting garden reflects the beautiful natural landscape of the surrounding area. Take a tranquil walk around the spring garden and the woodland trail, carpeted with bluebells in spring
Speke Hall, Merseyside
Wander through the estate to Stocktons Wood, where you'll see a glorious display of bluebells; keep going to be rewarded with great views of the Mersey estuary.
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Bluebells are abundant throughout the Estate and give wonderful displays through the wooded glades.
The Weir, near Hereford
A wonderful informal garden situated on the steeply sloping, south-facing bank of the River Wye. Richly planted with an abundance of bulbs, providing colour throughout spring, including bluebells
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Buried amid the gorgeous collection of trees and shrubs is the old English bluebell wood, which slopes down to the lake beneath a canopy of oak and Japanese maple.

I'M BACK...

Hi, I'm back after a loooooooong break from this blog with what I hope will be lots of interesting articles for you to read, some to make you laugh or cry and others on a more serious matter.

Us Brits have a lot to offer and are a very special race of people so do pop by with your mug of tea or coffee and sit down and enjoy ............

ENGLAND V SCOTLAND THE BIG DEBATE...

According to the International Business Times    back on May 1^st, 2014 both the British and Scottish flags were flying outside the Lloyds Banking Group's Scottish headquarters in Edinburgh.

I was just wondering if this is still the same today.

I guess I also need to wonder is if by Friday I need to change the name of this blog? ….

All we can do is wait and see.  

A BRITISH MAN WHO DEVELOPED SPECTACLES...

Among the most famous Franciscan friars from this time, Roger Bacon studied at Oxford, and later worked on optics and the refraction of light through lenses, leading to the development of spectacles. He had a reputation as unconventional, pursuing learning in alchemy and magic - interests which earned him the soubriquet 'Doctor Mirabilis'. This led to his rejection from the Order and eventual imprisonment. He died in Oxford not long after his release.

Roger Bacon was ahead of his time: he sought reform the calendar and, among many other projects, he discussed the possibility of early concepts of automobiles, aeroplanes and submarines. In 1266, many of these observations were published in his Opus Maius, only recognised centuries later for its brilliance and astonishing modernity. 


Source - We British

LORD BYRON ON THE ENGLISH WEATHER...

lord byron (1788-1824) - english poet

"The English winter - ending in July, to recommence in August".