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

A QUOTE FROM THE #QUEEN ON THE EVE OF HER 90TH BIRTHDAY...

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.  

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2014...

The Great British Bake Off  2014 started tonight this time on BBC 1.

Ten hour long episodes for us to follow amateur bakers battle to win the title of the UK's Best Amateur Baker. This year we even have someone from my neck of the woods in Nottingham.

Each week the bakers tackle a different baking skill, which becomes progressively more difficult as the show unfolds. Nancy was the star baker this week, can't wait for next week's episode.

A BRITISH LIFE...

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

GREAT BRITISH RAILWAY JOURNEYS BBC2

The Great British Railway Journey series is on BBC2 at 6.30 nightly Monday to Friday and follows Michael Portillo travelling through Britain by train. Last week Michael traveled from Manchester to Bury and learnt how the railway helped to create a national institution - the great British Fish and Chips.

This week he starts his first leg of his journey from London's Euston Station to Leeds, calling at Chaddington in Buckinghamshire, which is close to the scene of the 1963's Great Train Robbery.

On Day two ( Tuesday) he carries on his journey to Leeds and meets up with a second world war secret agent at Bletchley. He also learns all about vellum making in Newport Pagnell.

On Day three (Wednesday) the train takes him from Northampton to Nuneaton, where he learns all about the Victorian methods of shoemaking and the legacy of Dr. Thomas Arnold at Rugby School of Warwickshire.

On Day four (Thursday) he travels from Leicester to Loughborough (down the road from us), where he hears all about the hunt for Richard 111's remains while travelling on the Great Central Railway.

On Michael's final day (Friday) he completes his journey to Leeds where he see's how rail workers shaped British history in Doncaster, and he also visits Britain's oldest continuously working music hall.

You just can't beat Michael's train journey's ...

THE BEST OF BRITISH CRAFTMANSHIP IN BRIDLINGTON...

According to a brilliant website called This is Your Kingdon which has some amazing things to see and do in the UK. One of which is to visit the best of British craftsmanship at Wayside Flower in Bridlington, written by Amy Bartle.

Wayside Flower is a gem tucked away in the old town of Bridlington, away from the bright lights and candy floss of the sea front. This gorgeous shop is a haven of vintage style and British design.

White washed walls and large windows showcase simple rails full of clothes. A mixture of well edited vintage including high-end designer pieces from the 60s and 70s such as Dior, Balenciaga and Courreges sit comfortably alongside new designs from the shop’s own labels, Wayside Flower and NorSea Industries.

 

THE QUESTION IS – HOW BRITISH ARE YOU ?...

If your not sure, then why not take the test, 'How British Are You ?' - it's in a book of questions for the British Citizenship Test.

You might think you know everything about being British, but could you pass the test?

It's a test for a rite of passage for anyone wanting to live in the UK and is taken by over 100,000 people every year.

You can also take the test online at http://www.howbritishareyou.com/quiz – Have a go, I think you might be surprised at some of the questions.

AN UTTERLEY EXASPERATED HISTORY OF MODERN BRITAIN...

The book "An utterley exasperated History of Modern Britain" is written by John O'Faffell. 

If you're feeling utterly exasperatd with British Politics, then John O'Farrell informs, elucidates and laughs at all the bizarre events, ridiculous character and stupid decisions that have shaped Britain's story since 1945 and answers the question, "How the hell did we end up here"?

A brilliant Chrismtas present don't you think?

 

THE CLOSING OF A TEA SHOP...

It was sad to read in www.yorkshirepost.co.uk that after 92 years of service, a cake shop, called 'Sterchi's' in Filey, North Yorkshire is about to close.

It's heyday, it said, was in the 1930's when afternoon tea and light supper were an every day part of British life.

The shop opened in 1924/25 but now with big shops eating up all the little shops, it just came down to basic book balancing, that made them decide it was time to close the doors.

The owners Mr Philip Cammish and Mrs Sue Cammish, were very sad to have to close the shop. They have been overwhelmed with letters and phone calls bemoaning the closure.

BARACK OBAMA AND HIS 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP' WITH THE UK....

How lovely it was to hear on the BBC News that US President Barack Obama has hailed his country's "special relationship" with the UK in a speech delivered at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

He thanked the UK for its solidarity since 9/11 and in tackling the security threats that followed.

He also paid tribute to the UK's military forces for "standing shoulder to shoulder with the US for decades".

The banquet was hosted by the Queen and attended by royalty, politicians and film stars.

THE VERY BRITISH FOODIE FESTIVALS...

It's that time of year again when food festival are happening throughout the UK.

Some of the most popular ones are -

Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival - 17-19th June, www.garden-events.com/cheltenham

Henley Food Festival - 21/22nd May,www.foodiesfestival.com

Hampton Court Palace - 28-30th May,www.foodiesfestival.com

Bristol's Harbourside - 24-26th June,www.foodiesfestival.com

Tatton Park Manchester - 20-22nd May, www.foodiesfestival.com

Battersea Park, London - 24-26th June, www.foodiesfestival.com

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh - 12-14th August, www.foodiesfestival.com

South Park, Oxford - 27-29th August, www.foodiesfestival.com

Spring Tide Food Festival, Hive Beach, Burton, Bradstock - 21/22nd May, www.spring-tide.org.uk

Bath Coffee Festival - 21/22nd May,www.bathcoffeefestival.co.uk

English Wine Week - 29th May - 6th June, www.englishwineweek.co.uk

Artisan Cheese Fair, Melton Mowbray - 11-12th June, www.meltonbusiness.co.uk