Mark O

I'll bear that in mind Steve!........

Mark

John Llewellyn Moxey

Does not everyone wear one?

John

Mark O

The Man in the middle is!...........

Mark

Mark O

Memorial to the Animals that served in times of War........as it says "They had no choice"

Mark

Third Man

I'm trying to think of something worthwhile mentioning it's hard as most people seem to be reminiscing with their rose tinted glasses on? That's not a criticism but just a thing I don't care to do, personal choice - if you get my meaning.

When someone says what is great about Britain I tend to look at the present and what it holds for the future - I tend not to look back for greatness because if we did then we would not be great anymore just a idle nation resting on our laurels.

I suppose if if it came down to it - my freedom to say what I want when I want, something that I still cherish even though I do feel more uncomfortably nowadays saying what I feel and think than I did in my youth - perhaps having a opinion now seems to come with a consequence because so many people have been centralized towards a power mongering controlling government that they answer for them instead of for themselves- Orwell and Huxley where right, in many respects!

So yes I believe that what makes this country great is its adaptability and vision in taking on the future not looking back at it!

Simon

DB7

True, but as the saying goes those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. To be honest I don't see a rosy future on the horizon either.

Third Man

Very true and I am one who honestly believes in that saying - as with the future, bring it on! - as our American cousins would say.

I'm sure we can face it with optimism and expectation if we believe in ourselves.

Simon

P.S. By the way I was not saying don't look back to learn but don't look back to garner greatness because that comodity is of it's time.

Steve Crook

Or maybe not the past and not the future, but the present. Where people still get up to silly things like The World Worm Charming Championship, to be held this coming weekend at Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire



Entrants are allocated a 3 yard square plot of ground and have to charm as many worms to the surface as they can. Various techniques are to be seen. Pouring beer or other liquids over the ground, vibrating the soil with gardening forks or other things. The current record is still 511 worms in 30 minutes

Nobody can be as silly as the British

The governing body of the championships, the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP) not only exists for Worm Charming, but will look after the interests of other zany sports such as indoor hand gliding, underwater Ludo and ice tiddly-winks (similar to curling but the tiddles go further).

Steve

David Brent

Mark, many thanks for those great pictures.
A wonderful dedication indeed.
What part of London is the monument in?

Reminds me of a documentary I saw recently on the brave British pigeons who delivered important messages during the war against great odds. The birds flew through battle zones and across the channel to deliver top secret messages to and from troops and undercover agents fighting in Europe. The birds were responsible for saving thousands of Allied lives. Many pigeons received the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross for their bravery and service to the country.

Dave.

Steve Crook

The memorial is at Brook Gate, Park Lane, on the edge of Hyde Park, just south of Speaker's Corner / Marble Arch It was designed by David Backhouse.

See indie London article about it

Steve

Third Man

What! five hundred and eleven worms from a three yard square plot?

That's incredible and yes - very very silly

Simon

Steve Crook

Talking of silly, it is a thing the British do very well.
Has anyone seen The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain?





It takes a lot of skill to muck about that much

Steve

TimR

This is beauitful. Thanks Mark.

TimR

Nice. It is like the plot of a comedy.

I would like to see Alistair Sim and Joyce Grenfell and Peggy Mount trying to coax and threaten the worms in their own style.

TimR

Yes, indeed.

You have come through far, far worse than the current climate of political correctness and government control (and we have it on an even greater scale).

But even on that score, Cromwell's protectorate was worse.

If you lose your confidence in yourselves, you're finished. Nothing else and no one else can do it to you.