BRITISH FLAG

EXCELLENCE, THIS IS A SYMBOL OF NATIONAL UNITY JUST LIKE THE QUEEN AND THE CROWN. THIS FLAG IS FORMED IN CAUSED BY THE RESPECTIVE FLAGS OF NATIONS CONSTITUENTS.

THE VOTE IN BRITAIN

There are five types of elections in the United Kingdom:-

• General elections
• Elections to devolved parliaments and assemblies
• Elections to the European Parliament
• Local elections
• Mayoral elections

Elections are held on Election Day, which is conventionally, for some reason I can't figure out, a Thursday. General elections do not have fixed dates, but must be called within five years of the opening of parliament following the last election. Other elections are held on fixed dates though in the case of the devolved assemblies and parliaments, early elections can occur in certain situations. Presently, six electoral systems are used: single member plurality system (First Past the Post), multi member plurality system, Party list, Single Transferable Vote, Additional Member System and Supplementary Vote.

WITHOUT DOUBT, THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE. JUSTICE, PEACE AND UNITY.

Money, Money

BRITISH MONEY 

Pound sterling, strictly speaking refers to basic currency unit of sterling, now the pound , which is the currency of the United Kingdom (UK).

The sign for the pound is £ (or rarely just "L"). Both symbols derive from libra , the Latin word for " pound ". The standard ISO 4217 currency code is GBP = Great Britain Pound.

The pound sterling is one of the worlds most widely traded currencies along with the United States dollar, the Japanese yen and the euro.

In the UK, in order to distinguish the unit of currency from the unit of weight, and perhaps from other units of currency that have the same name, a pound is sometimes referred to more formally as a pound sterling or sometimes simply sterling . The slang term quid is also substituted in informal conversation for "pound(s) sterling". The sterling was originally a name for a silver penny of 1/240 pound. In modern times the pound has replaced the penny as the basic unit of currency as inflation has steadily eroded the value of the currency. Originally a silver penny had the purchasing power of slightly less than a modern pound.

THE ROYAL FAMILY

ENGLISH EDUCATION

ENGLAND

Education in England may differ from the system used elsewhere in the United Kingdom .

Basically, there are two systems: one covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland and one covering Scotland. The two education systems have different emphases. Traditionally the English, Welsh and Northern Irish system has emphasised depth of education whereas the Scottish system has emphasised breadth. Thus English, Welsh and Northern Irish students tend to sit a small number of more advanced examinations and Scottish students tend to sit a larger number of less advanced examinations. It should be noted that local English practice can vary from this general picture although Scottish practice is well nigh universal.

BRITISH COMEDY

BRITISH COMEDY FILMS

There are numerous British comedy films, in the past we produced the notable Ealing comedies like The Lavender Hill Mob and The Man in the White Suit, the 1950s work of the Boulting Brothers; Private's Progress, Lucky Jim, and I'm All Right Jack, innumerable popular comedy series including the St Trinian's films, the "Doctor" series, and the long-running Carry On films. Some of the best known British film comedy stars were Will Hay, George Formby, Norman Wisdom, Peter Sellers and the Monty Python team. Other actors associated with British comedy films included Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Margaret Rutherford, Irene Handl and Leslie Phillips.

More recent successful films include the working class comedies, Brassed Off, The Full Monty, the more middle class Richard Curtis-scripted films Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Notting Hill and youth-oriented, pop-culture films like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

BRITISH HUMOUR??

WHAT IS BRITISH HUMOUR?

In popular culture, British humour is a somewhat general term applied to certain types of comedy and comedic acts from the United Kingdom. Many UK comedy TV shows typical of British humour have become popular all round the world, and, for good or bad, have been a strong avenue for the export and representation of British culture to an international audience, but like many things the "typical" British sense of humour doesn't really exist.

There are many different kinds of humour, and often culture and tradition plays a big part in how funny you may find something, or not.

Royal garden parties

A ROYAL TRADITION 

Over 30,000 people attend the Royal Garden Parties each year. They are used today as a way to enable the British Establishment to reward public service and outstanding contributions to the community in a way which the former Coming Out parties did not.

Admission is by invitation only, and all invitations are sent out by the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of The Queen, in fact all the arrangements are planned by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. One of the characteristics of these parties is the long queues, if you thought the queues for the Millenium Dome were bad wait until you are invited to a Royal Garden Party.

Eventually you hand in your invitation and then seemingly in the Palace garden itself, the sense of over-crowding disappears. Uniformed Yeomen of the Guard, Gentlemen at Arms and Gentlemen Ushers are responsible for overseeing the guests and bringing some of them (not all) forward to speak to the Queen. When the members of the Royal Family emerge from the Palace, the Lord Chamberlain walks beside the Queen and the other members take separate routes so that they come into contact with as many people as possible. After meeting several members of the public, the Queen has tea in the royal tent, then meets distinguished Commonwealth visitors and begins a slow progress back to the Palace.

The dress code for these events is very strice, gentlemen are expected to wear morning dress, lounge suits or uniform, whilst ladies wear afternoon dress (usually with hats). However, national dress can also be worn.

CHRISTMAS IN UK

Something about culture, if you are really interested in knowing british customs please look at this picture...

BRITISH CUISINE NOWADAYS

BRITISH CUISINE TODAY

In the late 1980's, British cuisine started to look for a new direction. Disenchanted with the overblown (and under-nourished) Nouvelle Cuisine, chefs began to look a little closer to home for inspiration. Calling on a rich (and largely ignored) tradition, and utilising many diverse and interesting ingredients, the basis was formed for what is now known as modern British food. Game has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity although it always had a central role in the British diet, which reflects both the abundant richness of the forests and streams and an old aristocratic prejudice against butchered meats.

In London especially, one can not only experiment with the best of British, but the best of the world as there are many distinct ethnic cuisines to sample, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Greek restaurants are amongst the most popular.

BRITISH FOOD

BRITISH CUISINE!

Yes, we do have a wide and varied cuisine in Britain today, no more do we suffer under the image of grey boiled meat! After years of disparagement by various countries (especially the French) Britain now has an enviable culinary reputation. In fact some of the great chefs now come from Britain, I kid you not!

However Britain's culinary expertise is not new! In the past British cooking was amongst the best in the world. Mrs Beeton is still one of the renowned writers of cookery books, her creations have now gained international popularity, years after her death.

Traditional British cuisine is substantial, yet simple and wholesome. We have long believed in four meals a day. Our fare has been influenced by the traditions and tastes from different parts of the British empire: teas from Ceylon and chutney, and mulligatawny soup from India.

ENGLAND'S TIME

English National Dress

Unfortunately the English don't really have a traditional National Dress as such. In one notorious episode during the Miss World pageant the English contestant came out wearing a Beefeater's costume, it was very embarrassing I can tell you.

There have been calls over the years to create a costume, but as usual no-one can decide on what it should look like. Even Henry VIII got in on the act and commissioned an artist called Van Dyck to create an English National Costume, this also failed. So for lack of anything else I will leave you with the following picture of the nearest thing - a Beefeater costume as worn by Miss England.

Irish national dress

Irish National Dress

With the revival of Irish dancing, the traditional Irish costume has become associated with the bright flamboyant costumes worn by traditional Irish dancers. However in ancient Ireland people were more likely to be seen wearing 'leine' (Irish for shirt), trews (Irish for trousers) and long cloaks fastened with a brooch.

All in all there are a lot of myths and legends surrounding many of the so called 'traditional' costumes. Often when you do some real historical research you will find that they aren't that old or traditional.

Now, the welsh time!!

Welsh National Dress

Welsh National dress is relatively young and not as famous as Scottish National dress. Still they do have a National costume, but it's the way the ladies dress that is most well known, in fact there isn't really a National costume for men although recently through the rise of nationalism in Wales a tartan has been created and tartan trousers or kilts are often worn.

For the ladies the typical Welsh costume consists of a hat, made of black felt, with a high crown and wide brim, which is worn over a lace cap. A red flannel shawl is worn over a crisp white blouse, and a full skirt made of wool with a black and white check pattern and a starched, white apron. Proper Welsh ladies always wore black woolen stockings and black shoes and carried a basket, made from willow withies.

Scottish National Dress

Scottish National Dress

One of the most famous national costumes in the world is that worn in Scotland, the kilt, however some people say that the kilt is not as traditional as some would have it. Be that as it may it is certainly what people associate with Scotland, along with whisky and haggis that is.

Some people consider it very bad luck to wear a kilt in a tartan that does not belong to your family.

Just to remind you should you visit Scotland any time - the men do not wear skirts - they wear kilts - and don't you forget it!

Gentlemen

POSH, more than a song

POSH 

This is livin', this is style, this is elegance by the mile
Oh the posh posh travelling life, the travelling life for me
First cabin and captain's table regal company
Whenever I'm bored I travel abroad but ever so properly
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh

The hands that hold the scepters, every head that holds a crown
They'll always give their all for me they'll never let me down
I'm on my way to far away tah tah and toodle-oo
And fare thee well, and bon voyage, arrivederci too

Oh the posh posh travelling life, the travelling life for me
First cabin and captain's table; regal company
Pardon the dust of the upper crust--fetch us a cup of tea
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh

In every foreign strand I land the royal trumpets toot me
The royal welcome mat is out
They 21 gun salute me
But monarchies are constantly commanding me to call
Last month I missed the Mufti but you can't oblige them all

Oh the posh posh travelling life, the travelling life for me
Oh rumpety tumpety didey didey diddly dee dee dee

Oh the posh posh travelling life, the travelling life for me
First cabin and captain's table; regal company
When I'm at the helm the world's my realm and I do it stylishly
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H
P-O-S-H, P-O-S-H...
Posh