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the culture which many fear is under threat in some states, the New York Civil Liberties Union wants the laws all to be repealed.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.

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.....

BOURNEMOUTH HAS A LOT TO OFFER...

Bournemouth has a lot to offer...

Did you know that Bournemouth not only has the only man made reef in Buscombe but now is said to be the home of the new sport of 'stand up paddle skating'.

A hybrid of skateboarding and paddle boarding in which you use a big stick to propel yourself at high speed along the promenade.

Don't forget the annual Bournemouth Bay Run on Sunday 12th April which is run in support for the British Heart Foundation. February is actually National Heart Month and The British Heart Foundation are asking us all to make one small change every day to reduce our risk of heart disease. So pop along to their website to take the heart month challenge.

Did you know that every day 440 people in the UK lose their lives to heart and circulatory diseases and yet 75% of cases are preventable.

So, why not challenge yourself with a 13.1 mile run against the backdrop of Bournemouth's Coastline. Benefiting from an event t-shirt, timing chip and medal for all finishers as well as full even marshalling and first aid - you will be supported every step of the way. Even 10K runners will also enjoy the same benefits as half marathon participants. It all sounds great fun, who needs to go to Europe when we have all these activities right here int he UK.

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".

A BRITISH LIFE...

Follow Barbara McLullich's board A BRITISH LIFE... on Pinterest.

OUR BEAUTIFUL AND LUSH GREEN BRITAIN...

 It's lambing time in the UK at the moment, wherever you drive in the country side you see the tiny little lambs jumping around and following their mothers every move.

There's nothing quite like Britain in April as it reaches the end of Spring and everywhere looks so green and lush. I don't think anywhere in the world can beat our views at this time of year.

Imagine waking up to a view like this.... This year everywhere is even greener than ever after our very wet winter. It's typical April weather with April showers popping up most days but May is on the horizon and can be a great month for the weather in the UK.

AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM HITS THE BRITISH NEWS ...

All over the papers and for that matter all over our cars in Britain for the last couple of days, has been a type of Sahara sand dust.

According to the BBC News 'People with health problems are being warned to avoid strenuous activity after forecasts that air pollution will reach high levels in parts of England'.

Defra issued warnings as high pollution levels were recorded on Tuesday.

The pollution - a mix of local and European emissions and dust from the Sahara - is forecast in parts of south England, the Midlands and East Anglia.

The elderly and those with lung or heart disease are among those warned against exercising outside.

In February, the European Commission launched legal proceedings against the UK for failing to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution.

On Wednesday, Defra (the Department for Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs) admitted it was a "challenge" to meet air pollution targets near busy roads but said air quality had "improved significantly" in recent decades.

Even the Prime Minister, David Cameron's car was covered in the Sahara dust.

Defra has a 10-point scale for measuring air quality - with level one implying a "low" risk of air pollution and 10 warning of "very high" levels.

Levels are determined by the concentration of five pollutants in the air, including NO2, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone.

High levels of air pollution are usually reached about five times a year, Defra said.

On Wednesday, levels were recorded at six - meaning moderate - in East Anglia and south-east England, with pollution readings reaching level five in London and areas of north-east England.

However, forecasters say pollution levels could reach high levels later in the day and on Thursday, before clearing on Friday.

The BBC weather centre said the highest recordings were likely to be in East Anglia and the East Midlands, while moderate to high air pollution levels were also forecast for large parts of southern and central England.

UK STORMS GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE...

Life in the UK at the moment is frightening and daunting for some who are going through the terrible weather here at the moment.

A section of the sea wall in Dawlish, Devon, collapsed and left the railway to Cornwall suspended in mid-air, ( see picture above)

Residents of homes on the Somerset Levels were evacuated amid fears flood defences could be overwhelmed.

David Cameron chaired his first Cobra meeting this year and announced an extra £100m for flood works.

At Prime Minister's Questions he pledged £75m for repairs over the next year, £10m for urgent work in Somerset - where several rivers have flooded - and £15m for maintenance.

The forecast for the weekend is worse storms to come. On the Somerset Levels, police used a helicopter to advise the occupants of more than 150 properties in Fordgate and Northmoor to leave their homes.

If there is one thing that we have no control of whatsoever is the weather. We can only hope that there will be some let up soon for the sake of all people who are being affected by this unique weather front. 

TYPICALLY BRITISH CHRISTMAS WEATHER...

Only in the UK can we have apples on trees and raspberries on bushes in December, even some blossom and wild garlic has been spotted flourishing.

According to the weather men an extraordinarily (that's a long word) mild December has brought an unexpected crop of raspberries.

Apparently the normal temperature for this time of year is 6.7C (44F) but yesterday people in many areas experienced temperatures of 12 to 13C (53 to 55F).

So I guess that means a white Christmas is out of the question then. 

THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVALS 2013...

 

Britain has become synonymous for it's food festivals and one such festival 'The Great British Food Festival, www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com is opening it's doors to the first one of the year, next May Bank Holiday weekend, 26/27^th May.

The Great British Food Festival was formulated in June 2012 by two brothers who had a great love for food.

The team, now, are also foody people who love local produce and strive to gain awareness to the fantastic foods we have on offer in the North West, many you wouldn't even know about!

It has over 100 producer stalls, chefs demo's, cake-off and Men vs Food eating competitions.

There's live music from local bands and a recipe booklet to take home with you.

It's being held at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington, Cheshire. The only thing that could disrupt this great event is the great 'British Weather'. Fingers crossed for a dry weekend.

 

 

The other dates for 2013 are June 29/30^th at Shugborough Hall, Stafford, - July 13/14^th at Capesthorne Hall, Siddlington, August Bank Holiday Weekend 24/25/26^th at Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe, Lancashire and also on September 21^st and 22^nd at the Cheshire Food Festival at Arley Hall, Warrington, Cheshire. For more details head to their website 'The Great British Food Festival'.

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.

Its 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, than 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.

So, while I'm on the subject of the weather, where has the so called glorious sunshine gone to today, its more like cloudy skies to me...