Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 23, 2009 21:06:01 GMT
In their consistent effort to eliminate any previous national identity that was once Britain, or in this case English, and instill one instead that fits with their view, the BBC has produced a St. Georges Day anthem that includes Balti Chicken and Naan bread.
While I enjoy Indian food a great deal, and appreciate that it has become a part of our diet, it is not inherently English. I'd be happy to haven Indian celebration day here. But aren't there enough things that did originate here that could be celebrated instead for this day?
It does however fit the BBC 'multicultural' world that they wish to appease and dominate.
I could cheerfully kick the mind behind it and feel the world was a better place, as much as another mind of the same ilk that did the following:
St George's flag is flown at Downing Street in London today
In Liverpool, council workmen ripped down St George's flags hoisted on lamp-posts to mark the day of England's patron saint.
Liverpool City Council said the flags were taken down on health and safety grounds since they could be a danger to pedestrians or motorists.
While I enjoy Indian food a great deal, and appreciate that it has become a part of our diet, it is not inherently English. I'd be happy to haven Indian celebration day here. But aren't there enough things that did originate here that could be celebrated instead for this day?
It does however fit the BBC 'multicultural' world that they wish to appease and dominate.
I could cheerfully kick the mind behind it and feel the world was a better place, as much as another mind of the same ilk that did the following:
St George's flag is flown at Downing Street in London today
In Liverpool, council workmen ripped down St George's flags hoisted on lamp-posts to mark the day of England's patron saint.
Liverpool City Council said the flags were taken down on health and safety grounds since they could be a danger to pedestrians or motorists.
'Balti chicken with naan bread': BBC celebrates St George's Day with 'alternative' national anthem
By Tamara Cohen and Niall Firth
It was St George’s Day, so time to celebrate mushy peas. And not to forget chicken balti.
Both had a mention in a new national anthem for England created by the BBC and Arts Council England to commemorate ‘Englishness’ in the 21st century.
The song was performed for the first time by schoolchildren at London’s St Pancras station to an unusually enthusiastic reception from commuters fresh off the Eurostar.
The new anthem was criticised as being 'banal' when an early draft was revealed last month.
A crowd of 150 schoolchildren aged six to 10 sang along to the chorus of: 'I am England - England is inside of me 'I am England - England is what I want Her to be.'
The inner London pupils went on to honour their favourite English cuisine: ‘Fish and chips in paper with mushy peas. Balti chicken with naan bread and onion bhajis.’
They compared the ‘hustle bustle’ of the city to ‘out in the country, a fresh place for me to breathe’. And ‘God Save the Queen’ even got a mention in the final verse.
Last month, Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: 'As far as I am concerned the National Anthem should stay exactly as it is, which is fine.
'Secondly, those lines are so utterly banal that even an 11-year-old would disown them.
'I am perfectly happy to be British and perfectly happy with the National Anthem as it is. I certainly don't aspire to rewrite anything.'
Singing in the station’s crowded Champagne Bar, the event known as The Full English included a youth orchestra, a backdrop of films about St George’s Day and fashion students parading a new wave of English costumes, all recorded for BBC television and radio.
The venue choice was inspired by John Betjeman's 1973 BBC film Metroland, which concentrated on suburban life to the north west of London.
Many of the troupe had traveled from Luton to St Pancras by train, regaling the passengers with their performance.
The music is the work of Sam Dunkley, a 26-year-old composer who penned the lyrics after talking to the old and young about the meaning of England.
He said: ‘It went brilliantly and there was huge energy from the children. We talked about what England means to them, to young people in the modern day and that’s what came out of it, simple things which appealed to the children.
‘It has an anthemic chorus, but it is not intended to replace the national anthem, as we’ll always have that as well.’
Maura McCormack, 70 and her husband James, 74, from East Finchley, London, enjoyed the show while passing through the station. Mrs McCormack said: ‘I thought the tune was very catchy and it’s something the children can get excited about. Music is a great unifier.’
Fashion student Leanne Cannon, 20, studying in Rochester, Kent said: ‘We should be like the Irish with St Patrick’s Day and just be patriotic. All these different things represent what we think of our country now.’
New alternative national anthem
I am England, England is inside of me.
I am England, England is what I want her to be,
I am England, I am English, I am England to my core,
And wherever you may find me, you'll find England.
England Forever More!
England, my England, she never lets me down,
Hustle bustle, urban tussle, dancing through the crowds,
Or out in the country, a fresh place for me to breathe,
England my England is always home to me!
Fish and chips in paper, with mushy peas,
Balti chicken, naan bread and onion bhajis,
A cup of tea and toast, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding,
Tastes of our culture, tastes like England to me!
Swing low sweet chariot, God Save The Queen!
Land of hope and glory and of pleasant mountains green,
England's future, past and today live in our minds on St George's Day,
England, England, my country!
Elsewhere, Morris dancers rubbed shoulders with fire-breathing dragons, Crusaders quaffed pints of real ale and pubs, shops and homes were decked out in patriotic red and white.
Thousands of people made the most of the sunny weather to join in St George's Day celebrations.
Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu joined children in celebrating St George's Day by watching that most English of summer sports - rounders.
Sentamu, who was born in Uganda, is a vocal supporter of making today a public holiday to promote English unity.
The archbishop said he thought it was wrong the Irish, Scots and Welsh should all enthusiastically mark their saints' days but the English did not really recognise St George's Day.
'I would love this to be a day of dedication, that we will help those who are struggling within our country - help them like St George would have done,' the Archbishop said.
'But it also happens to be the birthday of Shakespeare.
'Why couldn't we have street parties where plays of Shakespeare and many other plays are being re-inacted in our streets?
'Why don't we have art, music, dance and actually have a great celebration?
'This country needs a lift instead of always feeling 'oh dear everything is bad, it's very awful'
'And these children playing rounders here today are trying to say there are some good things in England worth celebrating.'
The archbishop told the children the story of St George and said he believed he was an excellent choice of patron saint, despite his apparent Turkish origins.
Dr Sentamu's comments came after the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, called for Church of England clergy to hold dedicated services to celebrate the 'glorious heritage' of St George.
Creating a new public holiday would turn the occasion around from an event that has lost relevance, according to a survey of 7,000 users of social website MySpace.
St George's Day needs a 'radical refresh', including workers being given the day off, Stephen Fry being made patron saint of England and the Sex Pistols' God Save The Queen made the English anthem, according to the new study.
Boris Johnson traveled in a double-decker bus from City Hall to Leadenhall Market in the City to join in traditional English festivities today ahead of a music concert in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the capital, English armoured and mounted knights were taking part in a medieval battle at Old Spitalfields Market.
Enlarge Members of the Essex Friends Ramblers Association mark St George's Day, during a walk through farmland in Ingatestone, Essex
Last week, Cabinet Minister Hazel Blears called for St George’s Day into a national day of celebration and all schools and public buildings to fly the Cross of St George.
She also urged civil servants to wear a red rose, England’s national flower, to defy the ‘politically correct brigade’ and display their patriotism.
Communities Secretary Mrs Blears said: ‘Local government has a long tradition of supporting celebrations.
'I hope St George’s Day will be no exception and authorities will consider marking the day by flying the flag.
'We should all celebrate this country’s proud history and strength of different communities overwhelmingly living together side by side in tolerance and friendship.'
St George's flag is flown at Downing Street in London today
In Liverpool, council workmen ripped down St George's flags hoisted on lamp-posts to mark the day of England's patron saint.
Liverpool City Council said the flags were taken down on health and safety grounds since they could be a danger to pedestrians or motorists.
One resident said: 'I'm in total disbelief that Liverpool City Council can authorise the removal of the cross of St George on St George's Day.
'I was lost for words when I saw the workmen this morning.
'It's someone high up making the decision to take down our national flag.
'Making feeble excuses about health and safety.'
And in Aldershot a soldier about to slay the dragon for St George's Day was forced to turn up by car to the traditional ceremony - because of an allergy to horses.
John Sheard instead opted for a comfy Jaguar to scythe down the fire-breating monster at army barracks in Aldershot - after revealing the embarrassing condition.
The 40-year-old regimental Sgt Major, who dressed as the nation's patron saint, said today: 'Yeah, I do have a bit of a horse allergy but the ceremony still went ahead.
'I turned up in a nice jag instead.
'Still, it was British racing green so I suppose that's quite traditional.
'And we entertained the local schoolchildren so it was a good day.'
Lt Col Toby Gray - commanding officer of the 600-strong Coldstream guards battalion who deploy to Afghanistan later this year - added: 'It was a tremendous celebration for St George's Day.
'As an English regiment that dates back to 1650 we are incredibly proud of our history and pageantry.'
In London, sporting celebrities including Sir Geoff Hurst and Austin Healey will attend the Bombardier-sponsored St George's Day Long Lunch in the City.
Boris Johnson drops his handkerchief while dancing with the Ewell St Mary's Morris Men at Leadenhall Market, London today
A 4 foot-high sketch of St George and the dragon will go on show for the first time after after being repaired by specialist restorers.
The early 20th century drawing was created as a template for a stained glass window by the Whitefriars glass company.
The paper sketch was one of six recently restored for Harrow Council and will be displayed in Harrow Museum in north-west London this summer.
Two army officers completed a 14,000 foot skydive at the weekend to celebrate St George's Day and raise awareness for Help for Heroes.
The pair made the freefall parachute descent, while flying the flag of St George, above Airfield Camp at Netheravon, near Salisbury, home to the Army Parachute Association.
The pair flew the flag for 60 seconds before separating then opening their high performance parachutes and landing on Salisbury plain.
Cpl Smith said: 'St George's Day is a patriotic time and it's important that we don't forget the patriotism of the servicemen that are fighting on the frontline for our country.
'So we decided to fly the St George Flag in freefall as a tribute to them and to raise awareness for the charity that supports our wounded, Help For Heroes.'
By Tamara Cohen and Niall Firth
It was St George’s Day, so time to celebrate mushy peas. And not to forget chicken balti.
Both had a mention in a new national anthem for England created by the BBC and Arts Council England to commemorate ‘Englishness’ in the 21st century.
The song was performed for the first time by schoolchildren at London’s St Pancras station to an unusually enthusiastic reception from commuters fresh off the Eurostar.
The new anthem was criticised as being 'banal' when an early draft was revealed last month.
A crowd of 150 schoolchildren aged six to 10 sang along to the chorus of: 'I am England - England is inside of me 'I am England - England is what I want Her to be.'
The inner London pupils went on to honour their favourite English cuisine: ‘Fish and chips in paper with mushy peas. Balti chicken with naan bread and onion bhajis.’
They compared the ‘hustle bustle’ of the city to ‘out in the country, a fresh place for me to breathe’. And ‘God Save the Queen’ even got a mention in the final verse.
Last month, Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: 'As far as I am concerned the National Anthem should stay exactly as it is, which is fine.
'Secondly, those lines are so utterly banal that even an 11-year-old would disown them.
'I am perfectly happy to be British and perfectly happy with the National Anthem as it is. I certainly don't aspire to rewrite anything.'
Singing in the station’s crowded Champagne Bar, the event known as The Full English included a youth orchestra, a backdrop of films about St George’s Day and fashion students parading a new wave of English costumes, all recorded for BBC television and radio.
The venue choice was inspired by John Betjeman's 1973 BBC film Metroland, which concentrated on suburban life to the north west of London.
Many of the troupe had traveled from Luton to St Pancras by train, regaling the passengers with their performance.
The music is the work of Sam Dunkley, a 26-year-old composer who penned the lyrics after talking to the old and young about the meaning of England.
He said: ‘It went brilliantly and there was huge energy from the children. We talked about what England means to them, to young people in the modern day and that’s what came out of it, simple things which appealed to the children.
‘It has an anthemic chorus, but it is not intended to replace the national anthem, as we’ll always have that as well.’
Maura McCormack, 70 and her husband James, 74, from East Finchley, London, enjoyed the show while passing through the station. Mrs McCormack said: ‘I thought the tune was very catchy and it’s something the children can get excited about. Music is a great unifier.’
Fashion student Leanne Cannon, 20, studying in Rochester, Kent said: ‘We should be like the Irish with St Patrick’s Day and just be patriotic. All these different things represent what we think of our country now.’
New alternative national anthem
I am England, England is inside of me.
I am England, England is what I want her to be,
I am England, I am English, I am England to my core,
And wherever you may find me, you'll find England.
England Forever More!
England, my England, she never lets me down,
Hustle bustle, urban tussle, dancing through the crowds,
Or out in the country, a fresh place for me to breathe,
England my England is always home to me!
Fish and chips in paper, with mushy peas,
Balti chicken, naan bread and onion bhajis,
A cup of tea and toast, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding,
Tastes of our culture, tastes like England to me!
Swing low sweet chariot, God Save The Queen!
Land of hope and glory and of pleasant mountains green,
England's future, past and today live in our minds on St George's Day,
England, England, my country!
Elsewhere, Morris dancers rubbed shoulders with fire-breathing dragons, Crusaders quaffed pints of real ale and pubs, shops and homes were decked out in patriotic red and white.
Thousands of people made the most of the sunny weather to join in St George's Day celebrations.
Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu joined children in celebrating St George's Day by watching that most English of summer sports - rounders.
Sentamu, who was born in Uganda, is a vocal supporter of making today a public holiday to promote English unity.
The archbishop said he thought it was wrong the Irish, Scots and Welsh should all enthusiastically mark their saints' days but the English did not really recognise St George's Day.
'I would love this to be a day of dedication, that we will help those who are struggling within our country - help them like St George would have done,' the Archbishop said.
'But it also happens to be the birthday of Shakespeare.
'Why couldn't we have street parties where plays of Shakespeare and many other plays are being re-inacted in our streets?
'Why don't we have art, music, dance and actually have a great celebration?
'This country needs a lift instead of always feeling 'oh dear everything is bad, it's very awful'
'And these children playing rounders here today are trying to say there are some good things in England worth celebrating.'
The archbishop told the children the story of St George and said he believed he was an excellent choice of patron saint, despite his apparent Turkish origins.
Dr Sentamu's comments came after the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, called for Church of England clergy to hold dedicated services to celebrate the 'glorious heritage' of St George.
Creating a new public holiday would turn the occasion around from an event that has lost relevance, according to a survey of 7,000 users of social website MySpace.
St George's Day needs a 'radical refresh', including workers being given the day off, Stephen Fry being made patron saint of England and the Sex Pistols' God Save The Queen made the English anthem, according to the new study.
Boris Johnson traveled in a double-decker bus from City Hall to Leadenhall Market in the City to join in traditional English festivities today ahead of a music concert in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the capital, English armoured and mounted knights were taking part in a medieval battle at Old Spitalfields Market.
Enlarge Members of the Essex Friends Ramblers Association mark St George's Day, during a walk through farmland in Ingatestone, Essex
Last week, Cabinet Minister Hazel Blears called for St George’s Day into a national day of celebration and all schools and public buildings to fly the Cross of St George.
She also urged civil servants to wear a red rose, England’s national flower, to defy the ‘politically correct brigade’ and display their patriotism.
Communities Secretary Mrs Blears said: ‘Local government has a long tradition of supporting celebrations.
'I hope St George’s Day will be no exception and authorities will consider marking the day by flying the flag.
'We should all celebrate this country’s proud history and strength of different communities overwhelmingly living together side by side in tolerance and friendship.'
St George's flag is flown at Downing Street in London today
In Liverpool, council workmen ripped down St George's flags hoisted on lamp-posts to mark the day of England's patron saint.
Liverpool City Council said the flags were taken down on health and safety grounds since they could be a danger to pedestrians or motorists.
One resident said: 'I'm in total disbelief that Liverpool City Council can authorise the removal of the cross of St George on St George's Day.
'I was lost for words when I saw the workmen this morning.
'It's someone high up making the decision to take down our national flag.
'Making feeble excuses about health and safety.'
And in Aldershot a soldier about to slay the dragon for St George's Day was forced to turn up by car to the traditional ceremony - because of an allergy to horses.
John Sheard instead opted for a comfy Jaguar to scythe down the fire-breating monster at army barracks in Aldershot - after revealing the embarrassing condition.
The 40-year-old regimental Sgt Major, who dressed as the nation's patron saint, said today: 'Yeah, I do have a bit of a horse allergy but the ceremony still went ahead.
'I turned up in a nice jag instead.
'Still, it was British racing green so I suppose that's quite traditional.
'And we entertained the local schoolchildren so it was a good day.'
Lt Col Toby Gray - commanding officer of the 600-strong Coldstream guards battalion who deploy to Afghanistan later this year - added: 'It was a tremendous celebration for St George's Day.
'As an English regiment that dates back to 1650 we are incredibly proud of our history and pageantry.'
In London, sporting celebrities including Sir Geoff Hurst and Austin Healey will attend the Bombardier-sponsored St George's Day Long Lunch in the City.
Boris Johnson drops his handkerchief while dancing with the Ewell St Mary's Morris Men at Leadenhall Market, London today
A 4 foot-high sketch of St George and the dragon will go on show for the first time after after being repaired by specialist restorers.
The early 20th century drawing was created as a template for a stained glass window by the Whitefriars glass company.
The paper sketch was one of six recently restored for Harrow Council and will be displayed in Harrow Museum in north-west London this summer.
Two army officers completed a 14,000 foot skydive at the weekend to celebrate St George's Day and raise awareness for Help for Heroes.
The pair made the freefall parachute descent, while flying the flag of St George, above Airfield Camp at Netheravon, near Salisbury, home to the Army Parachute Association.
The pair flew the flag for 60 seconds before separating then opening their high performance parachutes and landing on Salisbury plain.
Cpl Smith said: 'St George's Day is a patriotic time and it's important that we don't forget the patriotism of the servicemen that are fighting on the frontline for our country.
'So we decided to fly the St George Flag in freefall as a tribute to them and to raise awareness for the charity that supports our wounded, Help For Heroes.'