Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: CLKD on January 27, 2025, 11:30:46 PM

Title: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on January 27, 2025, 11:30:46 PM
I consider myself English, having been born in deepest Norfolk.  My family go back to the 1700s on both sides, from Norfolk.

I don't think that the English have a culture - no music, no specific dances; various counties have traditions, i.e. Well Dressing in Derbyshire, the Floral Dance in Cornwall .......... the Bear Dance in Whittlesey, Cambridge/Oxford boat race.  But I don't feel English in the way that I believe the Irish, Welsh and Scottish feel ..........  we did dance the Polka in Music, Movement and Mime  ;D.  Even St George isn't celebrated. 

This comes from watching a programme where the commentator mentioned having a culture of dance, music, singing within their communities. 
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: jaypo on January 28, 2025, 10:22:48 AM
Aww come on now clkd,you've got Morris dancing  ;D
Maybe the Celts have more traditions because they are the minority and more sparsely populated,so feel the need to keep things going,as it were.
I always considered myself Scottish through and through,until I moved to the south of England,where the people were so welcoming and friendly towards me,now,back in Scotland, consider myself British more than anything
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on January 28, 2025, 11:15:11 AM
Morris dancing was in my thoughts as I dropped off to sleep.  Ashley Hutchins [80 last week] did a lot of work at Cecil Sharpe House researching old dances/tunes.  Music of course evolves.

Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: getting_old on January 28, 2025, 05:52:27 PM
Why oh why did you have to mention the floral dance?? I now have that dreadful song whirling round my brain  ;) :bouncing:

I think of myself as British so culturally think of the royal family, national anthem, fish & chips & musy peas  ;D
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on January 28, 2025, 07:25:04 PM
Years ago [1980s/90s], until anxiety took over, we were out every night at a Folk Club.  So mixing with like minded people.  Our hobbies however, no one comes back - the socialisation is done at the venue. 

Come back Terry Wogan, all is 4given  :D  :whist:

Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on April 07, 2025, 10:22:18 PM
Ooh I’m Norfolk born and bred still live in good old Norwich what a small world eh! What makes me feel English/ British hmm craving Yorkshire t bags wherever I go.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Dierdre on April 08, 2025, 07:21:42 AM
I think it depends where you live. The more rural seem to be more traditional but inner city is now so diverse it's unrecognisable, you could be anywhere.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on April 08, 2025, 08:36:14 AM
Arrr Bor ......... ;-).  Fuzzwhizzer - there's a lot of history to keep Norfolk people grounded.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Sophya on April 10, 2025, 07:13:32 PM
It feels a bit like a mix of random traditions and just... vibes. There’s no big, obvious culture like you’d find in Ireland or Scotland. It’s more about the little things—Morris dancing, the royal family, or the whole fish and chips thing. It’s not as in-your-face, but it’s still there, kind of quietly holding everything together.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on June 24, 2025, 09:52:30 PM
That certainly is or-right. Anybody got a light bor? 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on June 25, 2025, 12:44:52 PM
Alan ???? charged a pound for his autograph  >:( my Dad was horrified but paid up.  ::)

Keith Skipper - I think that he passed away earlier this year?

My Mum and the Man from the Pru would speak in high Norfolk which no one else could understand!
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on August 17, 2025, 10:48:21 PM
Nah the Skipper is still A Skippun as far as I know! There is a mural of Alan in Anglia square but it’s all coming down soon to be replaced by who knows. It was very very tatty though, whereas the rest of the city centre is as good as always.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on August 18, 2025, 07:53:30 AM
Still can't remember the Singing Postman's Name - Alan   ??? I'm sure it began with a 'S'
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on August 18, 2025, 11:03:41 PM
Ah yes Alan Smethurst!
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Old Frumpy on August 20, 2025, 09:35:27 AM
Simply at 4 pm ish

Having a cup of tea....with a scone or piece cake.......in Norwich would be even better as my cousin lives there!
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: jaypo on August 20, 2025, 01:04:43 PM
Haha that's funny,reminded me of here in Scotland,if you get a cup of tea from someone,they'll ask......do you want a piece with that  ;D. a piece of what, I don't know
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on August 21, 2025, 03:04:45 PM
 ;D. well 'piece' is a 'bite' down here  ::)

'Smethurst' - that's he!  He charged a whole quid to write his autograph  >:(
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on August 21, 2025, 03:55:33 PM
Ooh Old Frumpy time for a nice ol visut then! Some great foodie choices on the market. Great art and beauty in the church of St.Peter Mancroft, which incidentally is the church for the market and the Theatre Royal! The Forum is good too always something going on in there. I’ve lived here all my 56 years it’s changed a bit but I still love utt. Wow CLKD that’s a cheek charging for autographs! Harrumph to that!
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Old Frumpy on August 21, 2025, 05:09:17 PM
Fuzzwhizzer - she certainly talks like a local...always makes me smile down phone when we speak.

Have to admit its more about nattering than anything else when we get together.
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: Fuzzwhizzer on August 22, 2025, 09:29:03 AM
Lovely! I know what that’s like when I get with my sis we don’t give any space for anyone to get a word in! It’s lovely to get together though! Especially when biscuits are involved……
Title: Re: Being English - what does it mean to you?
Post by: CLKD on August 22, 2025, 05:40:45 PM
Now it's all about flying either the Cross of St George or Union Flag round here  :-\ .......