British Bores?

Some could say we're boring. Others may simply say we're not patriotic enough. Are these reasons why we don't have a day to celebrate the simple fact that we're English?
It's not a British problem - St Andrew's day is celebrated in Scotland, as is St David's day in Wales. But what do the English do to celebrate St George's day?St George has been England's patron saint for nearly 600 years, and has been passed through time not only in the form of a day dedicated to him, but also in the form of that red cross on a white background you see so often on an British flag. Yet each year on that special day we fail to acknowledge his existence. Sure you may see a few flags around, or do a small exercise in school or college. But that's where the celebration ends. Maybe the religious history behind St George has caused a lack of celebration, particularly since an increasing percentage of the population is now non-Christian. But why should that stop us celebrating being English? Or better still, celebrating with the Scots, the Welsh and the Northern Irish the fact that we're British? I'm not the only one who thinks so, Chancellor Gordon Brown also thinks it's a good idea. In a speech in London he said that people should feel proud to "embrace the Union flag". In terms of celebrating our country, our history and our future, we're falling behind many countries. The United States of America celebrate a day every single year, the 4th of July - Independence Day. A day in which they celebrate their freedom and independence invarious different ways. Barbecues, picnics and general family gatherings celebrate the day when the Americans broke free of the British and took control of their own country. As with the French celebration, Bastille Day. A day that celebrates a changing form of the country's government, no longer were they ruled over by Kings or Queens. These days both have very historical reasons behind their being. But one day in one of the youngest countries in the world, is a day we should be looking to replicate. That of Australia Day. Australia Day is a national holiday, celebrated on January 26 (the middle of summer in Australia), which is used simply to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. A day to "re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future." A day to be Australian. Surely celebrating our countries and the fact that we belong there should be a priority on any calendar. Particularly since so much has been happening to tear apart different ethnic groups in the past few years. We are white, we are black, we are south Asian, we are Chinese, we are mixed raced, we are every race in the world. But most importantly we are British and now is no better time than ever to celebrate that.
Author: Fiona Bond

Bolton iJourno group