General Chat

Well, Bob, what's wrong with words like "Alle Menschen werden Brüder"? (Literally: All humans will be brothers"). After God knows how many centuries of mutual butchery, some expression of reconciliation is surely a good thing.

Why change our national flag? There is nothing wrong with present one. What a stupid suggestion ! ! !

Besides out-of-date imperial connotations, the Union Flag has been a bit overdone as an image of Britain, much like the red buses and phone boxes, bowler hats, brollies and bobbies. Not to mention the fact that we are hardly a Christian country any more. Couldn't we modernise and have something more tasteful, say just have four stripes: white, green, red and blue as these feature in all the constituent countries' flags? As for the anthem, why not an all-Britain national competition? Besides all that, if we had a BRITISH footbacll team, we might have an even greater chance of winning.

Bob, do you mean OtoJ or EU?

Ode to joy is being forced upon us by the EU. Do we realy want that? Bob

Marjorie, I thought Great Britain was England, Scotland and Wales and United Kingdom was Great Britain and northern Ireland. I'm always willing to learn, who is correct?

Wendy, saw this, not that I fancy the menu, think I'll leave them to Eeyore THISTLE & COCONUT CURRY THISTLE & NETTLE SOUP THISTLE & SAUSAGE CASSEROLE THISTLE BIRYANI THISTLE COLESLAW THISTLE LEAF & MINT RAITA THISTLE ROOT & CARROT SALAD THISTLE ROOT RAITA THISTLE SOUP WITH PORK BELLY THISTLE STROGANOFF THISTLE WITH MUSTARD & HONEY GLAZE THISTLE, NETTLE & ALMONDS THISTLES IN HAZELNUT SAUCE TOMATO & COCONUT THISTLES VENISON WITH THISTLE WHOLE THISTLE & HAM SOUP

Oh yes I forgot. The Flag of the United Kingdom. The Union Flag as is with the Red Dragon superimposed. Signed The Iron Dragon

Sylvia, Leek - full of flavour, whereas the thistle only Eeyore eats ( and you know how miserable he is!) and the shamrock are not????

Hear hear Jim, Pride is not the same as arrogance or superiority. Life is fascinating however it is lived. The only thing I abhor is suffering and I am entitled to try to alleviate that in any way I can. Also, what about "Ode to joy" although perhaps soothing, not stirring? Abigail

I am English. I don't mind being called a Brit becuse the Land of my forefathers was the Land of the Brits before ever they became "Great". I am not Scot, Welsh or Irish, and I am definitely NOT a European. My vote is for: 1) Land of Hope and Glory 2) I Vow to Thee my Country 3) Rule Britannia I have no Racial prejudices and it doesn't bother me to see other Cultures living side by side with mine, in fact if it were not for the Immigrants over the Milennia NONE OF US would be here. And we have such a wide diversity of knowledge, experiences and many good things which, in the melting pot, will enrich all of us. And why oh why do "The Powers that Be" Make me feel guilty about waving the cross of St George, just because a bunch of thugs have adopted it as a Racist Symbol. Time was when that sort of disrespect for the flag of one's Country could get you sent to jail.

By the way my husband laughs at my very local grasp of geography and found a site for my little boy who was asking about where we were. I can't remember the exact site but there was a quiz about national flags - I got 0/10 for several goes until I memorised them out of sheer determination. How shaming! I think it was something to do with Ordnance Survey. Abigail

The Union Jack is bright and attractive, small children always seem to be able to pick it out so it must be doing something right then!? Land of Hope and Glory we love and Jerusalem although perhaps it is the music as the words are ever so slightly fantasist/jingoistic - or perhaps that is what national anthems are supposed to be. Anyway Land of Hope and Glory whilst swaying the St Andrews Flag - Vive la Devolution! at our house!!!! Abigail

Karin had the right idea, well originally it was said by Billy Connolly use the Archers theme tune. Easy to remember, lively tune can't wait to hear it being played at the olympics heh

Sylvia, In answer to your question why would the Welsh chose a leek for an emblem? The leek has been recognised as the emblem of Wales since the middle of the 16th Century. It's association with Wales can be traced back to the battle of Heathfield in 633 AD. When St David persuaded his countrymen to distinguish themselves from their Saxon foes by wearing a leek in their caps.

Sorry Paul. I promise I'll learn the words. lol

Here's the lyrics, learn them well lol A. C. Benson 1862-1925 Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned. God make thee mightier yet! On Sov'ran brows, beloved, renowned, Once more thy crown is set. Thine equal laws, by Freedom gained, Have ruled thee well and long; By Freedom gained, by Truth maintained, Thine Empire shall be strong. Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, Who are born of thee? Wider still and wider Shall thy bounds be set; |: God, who made thee mighty, Make thee mightier yet. :| Thy fame is ancient as the days, As Ocean large and wide: A pride that dares, and heeds not praise, A stern and silent pride: Not that false joy that dreams content With what our sires have won; The blood a hero sire hath spent Still nerves a hero son.

Christine, no, a few lines up Marjorie said taht it would be "ineligible" because it's jingoistic ?!?!

A few people down here would have to learn the words too lol

Paul I don't know if your refering to what I have written, but actually I didn't say anything against Land of Hope and Glory. The only thing I would say is that if it were adopted as the National anthem then there are a lot of people up here would have to learn it as i don't personally know anyone who knows the words, only the tune!