Top British Icons (or things that we associate with being a very British affair)
On a complete aside we need to GIVE IT UP for Luciana who flew to Number 2!, YES Number 2 in the UK charts with her collaboration with Bodyrox. Thanks to everyone who showed their support by buying the superb single and requesting the airplay. Looking forward to her next punk edged offering to mainstream music!
Seeing as the Queen gave her speech about Britain this week and Lucianas artwork pays homage to Icons of our time we thought that we would delve into constructing a list of the British icons of all time. We all know what it means to be British and there are some things that exclusively belong to us. It can be anything, breathing or otherwise as long as it is BRITISH and it is an icon. So here goes, a few at a time and if you have any to add just post us a comment.
1. The Monarchy - (yes i know other countries have monarchies but ours is steeped in history and there is no other monarchy like it. The Royal Family add historical Britishness to Britain)
2. Fish & Chips - (Can't beat it. If you allow yourself 1 'cheap night' every week (by that we mean going away from normal healthy stuff) then battered cod, chips, mushy peas and ketchup has to be eaten).
3. The Bowler Hat - (conjures up an instant image of Britishness)
4. Cricket - (Originally a VERY British affair now every other countries poached it and are thrashing us)
5. Tea - (The good old British cuppa. Battles were won and lost around a cup of tea. If you didn't already know here's how to make a proper cup of tea - To make a proper cup of tea, you need a china or earthenware teapot; fill the kettle with freshly-drawn water and bring it to the boil. WARM THE POT by pouring in some of the boiling water, swishing it around then emptying it again. Purists will insist on loose tea but good quality teabags are acceptable - the traditional "one for each person and one for the pot" will stain your cups for life! I prefer mine a bit less violent - about 3 spoons (or bags) between four people. Bring the water back to boil and pour it onto the tea immediately. Leave the tea to brew/mash/stand - depending on where you live - for about five minutes. Gently give it a stir and leave for another minute for the tea leaves to settle again, then pour it out - but put the milk in the cup first! If you use loose tea, you might want to use a tea-strainer ( a sort of mini-sieve designed for just that purpose.) Add sugar to taste, and drink and enjoy!)
6. The British Bobby - (Love 'em or hate 'em this is one of Britains most associated icons. A worthy, respected type of copper in the days when you could leave your doors open but the governments insistence on keeping this 'symbol of britishness' in modern day policing is increasingly ineffective against the changing face of crime, legislation and society)
7. English Pubs - (There is no other pub anywhere else in the world that can match the feel of a real English Pub. They don't need descriptions as if you have ever been in any of the many great ones all you have to do is close your eyes and imagine it. If they're not in England they're not an English Pub!)
8. 'Rule Brittania' - (James Thompson and Thomas Arne immortalised the woman that is Brittania in this rousing national song of strength and unity still sung with passion today)
9. The Carry On Movies - (Fabulous! Everything about it oozed British comedy and satire. Nowhere else in the world has one cast, (Hattie Jakes, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Sid James et al) made so many classic comedy films)
10. James Bond - (On the subject of movies... Only a Brit could ever play James Bond. My favourite? Sean Connery)
11. The Crossword - (Where else can you go in the world an see the population of the trains of a morning with their heads bowed trying to write answers to cryptic questions in a host of tiny little boxes. It makes you feel good if you completely finish onw though! The first Crossword appeared in the Manchester Guardian in 1929 & The Times followed suit in 1930)
12. The Red Telephone Box - (Only a few remain today but this classically British sight could be found on almost every street. Often mistaken for urinals by some passing gents, which gave them a familiar odour, they also became infamous for the place to find yourself a Raunchy Rachel or a Bouncing Betty amongst the many calling cards wallpapering the insides)
13. The Spitfire - (The plane that helped to win the war. Only a couple remain of this beautiful British aircraft. It's familiar sound can still be heard at airshows or if you're lucky and you happen to be in the area you could sometimes see one being flown near Nuffield airfield in Surrey)
14. The Mini - (Now this little pocket rocket had to be included somewhere. Not the hybrid Anglo-German model that graces the market today (although it is rather nice and very quick) but the basic, drafty, tiny original car that was epitomised in films such as The Italian Job. Nothing lokks as good with a Union Jack paint job!)
15, The Routemaster Bus - (A Big Red Double Decker, which swayed on the corners and had a Bus Conductor. Now even i remember going in a version of one of these. Ding! Ding! tickets please. "I'll get you Blakey!")
16. Wimbledon - (I love Wimbledon and it is Absolutely a completely British event. No other Tennis tournament, no matter how big, has the same pedigree and clas as Wimbledon. Played at the Lawn Tennis Club Of Great Britain this is the most prestigious, all grass Grand Slam tournament in the world. In fact it is THE most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in the world. Every player in the world wants to play at wimbledon, wants to win at Wimbledon. It is the ultimate Tennis Title. Where else can you eat strawberries and sip champagne and watch a bloody good day of tennis)
17. Rowing - (But only the kind of rowing accompanied by a Cox. Henley and The Annual boat Race is an excuse for the British to be British from head to foot).
18. The BBC - (The British Broadcasting Company, even the name has to be said with Britishness. From wartime speeches to the Blue Planet they have been making unforgettable television since the invention of television. In fact when you think of TV you think of the BBC. Oh, and they make Great Radio to.)
19. Baked Beans - (Heinz 57 because there are 57 varieties! We all ate them and most of us love them wither hot on buttered toast, inside a jacket spud or cold straight from the tin. They may make us a little bit windy and they have to be Heinz)
20. The Black Cab - (Still a familiar site in London with cabbies who know the streets like the backs of their hands. Did you know that cabs used to be horsedrawn and the law still states that they must carry a bail of hay (for the horses or if you fancy a munch...) They also have the turning circle of a horse and cart as oppose to normal cars which have the turning circle of the QE2 in comparison, able to swing around on a sixpence)
Well that's all for today, there are SO many and we don't have time to list them all today but we'll be back. Perhaps we'll broach another countries icons next time.
On a complete aside we need to GIVE IT UP for Luciana who flew to Number 2!, YES Number 2 in the UK charts with her collaboration with Bodyrox. Thanks to everyone who showed their support by buying the superb single and requesting the airplay. Looking forward to her next punk edged offering to mainstream music!
Seeing as the Queen gave her speech about Britain this week and Lucianas artwork pays homage to Icons of our time we thought that we would delve into constructing a list of the British icons of all time. We all know what it means to be British and there are some things that exclusively belong to us. It can be anything, breathing or otherwise as long as it is BRITISH and it is an icon. So here goes, a few at a time and if you have any to add just post us a comment.
1. The Monarchy - (yes i know other countries have monarchies but ours is steeped in history and there is no other monarchy like it. The Royal Family add historical Britishness to Britain)
2. Fish & Chips - (Can't beat it. If you allow yourself 1 'cheap night' every week (by that we mean going away from normal healthy stuff) then battered cod, chips, mushy peas and ketchup has to be eaten).
3. The Bowler Hat - (conjures up an instant image of Britishness)
4. Cricket - (Originally a VERY British affair now every other countries poached it and are thrashing us)
5. Tea - (The good old British cuppa. Battles were won and lost around a cup of tea. If you didn't already know here's how to make a proper cup of tea - To make a proper cup of tea, you need a china or earthenware teapot; fill the kettle with freshly-drawn water and bring it to the boil. WARM THE POT by pouring in some of the boiling water, swishing it around then emptying it again. Purists will insist on loose tea but good quality teabags are acceptable - the traditional "one for each person and one for the pot" will stain your cups for life! I prefer mine a bit less violent - about 3 spoons (or bags) between four people. Bring the water back to boil and pour it onto the tea immediately. Leave the tea to brew/mash/stand - depending on where you live - for about five minutes. Gently give it a stir and leave for another minute for the tea leaves to settle again, then pour it out - but put the milk in the cup first! If you use loose tea, you might want to use a tea-strainer ( a sort of mini-sieve designed for just that purpose.) Add sugar to taste, and drink and enjoy!)
6. The British Bobby - (Love 'em or hate 'em this is one of Britains most associated icons. A worthy, respected type of copper in the days when you could leave your doors open but the governments insistence on keeping this 'symbol of britishness' in modern day policing is increasingly ineffective against the changing face of crime, legislation and society)
7. English Pubs - (There is no other pub anywhere else in the world that can match the feel of a real English Pub. They don't need descriptions as if you have ever been in any of the many great ones all you have to do is close your eyes and imagine it. If they're not in England they're not an English Pub!)
8. 'Rule Brittania' - (James Thompson and Thomas Arne immortalised the woman that is Brittania in this rousing national song of strength and unity still sung with passion today)
9. The Carry On Movies - (Fabulous! Everything about it oozed British comedy and satire. Nowhere else in the world has one cast, (Hattie Jakes, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Sid James et al) made so many classic comedy films)
10. James Bond - (On the subject of movies... Only a Brit could ever play James Bond. My favourite? Sean Connery)
11. The Crossword - (Where else can you go in the world an see the population of the trains of a morning with their heads bowed trying to write answers to cryptic questions in a host of tiny little boxes. It makes you feel good if you completely finish onw though! The first Crossword appeared in the Manchester Guardian in 1929 & The Times followed suit in 1930)
12. The Red Telephone Box - (Only a few remain today but this classically British sight could be found on almost every street. Often mistaken for urinals by some passing gents, which gave them a familiar odour, they also became infamous for the place to find yourself a Raunchy Rachel or a Bouncing Betty amongst the many calling cards wallpapering the insides)
13. The Spitfire - (The plane that helped to win the war. Only a couple remain of this beautiful British aircraft. It's familiar sound can still be heard at airshows or if you're lucky and you happen to be in the area you could sometimes see one being flown near Nuffield airfield in Surrey)
14. The Mini - (Now this little pocket rocket had to be included somewhere. Not the hybrid Anglo-German model that graces the market today (although it is rather nice and very quick) but the basic, drafty, tiny original car that was epitomised in films such as The Italian Job. Nothing lokks as good with a Union Jack paint job!)
15, The Routemaster Bus - (A Big Red Double Decker, which swayed on the corners and had a Bus Conductor. Now even i remember going in a version of one of these. Ding! Ding! tickets please. "I'll get you Blakey!")
16. Wimbledon - (I love Wimbledon and it is Absolutely a completely British event. No other Tennis tournament, no matter how big, has the same pedigree and clas as Wimbledon. Played at the Lawn Tennis Club Of Great Britain this is the most prestigious, all grass Grand Slam tournament in the world. In fact it is THE most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in the world. Every player in the world wants to play at wimbledon, wants to win at Wimbledon. It is the ultimate Tennis Title. Where else can you eat strawberries and sip champagne and watch a bloody good day of tennis)
17. Rowing - (But only the kind of rowing accompanied by a Cox. Henley and The Annual boat Race is an excuse for the British to be British from head to foot).
18. The BBC - (The British Broadcasting Company, even the name has to be said with Britishness. From wartime speeches to the Blue Planet they have been making unforgettable television since the invention of television. In fact when you think of TV you think of the BBC. Oh, and they make Great Radio to.)
19. Baked Beans - (Heinz 57 because there are 57 varieties! We all ate them and most of us love them wither hot on buttered toast, inside a jacket spud or cold straight from the tin. They may make us a little bit windy and they have to be Heinz)
20. The Black Cab - (Still a familiar site in London with cabbies who know the streets like the backs of their hands. Did you know that cabs used to be horsedrawn and the law still states that they must carry a bail of hay (for the horses or if you fancy a munch...) They also have the turning circle of a horse and cart as oppose to normal cars which have the turning circle of the QE2 in comparison, able to swing around on a sixpence)
Well that's all for today, there are SO many and we don't have time to list them all today but we'll be back. Perhaps we'll broach another countries icons next time.
posted by Things That Make You Go Ooo! Team @ 3:07 pm
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