A lazy tag.
The last land bridge between Britain and mainland Europe gave way to the rising sea about 8,000 years ago. It is doubtful whether the significance of the event was widely recognised at the time – it was possibly the original hard Brexit Day. Read a bit about it. Image links to Amazon
My regular (congratulations) reader will be awed to learn that some things on A Bit About Britain occasionally get updated. Particular articles that have been recently improved, mainly with the addition of new photos, include those on Winchester Palace, the Tower of London, Secret London and Temple Bar. The aforementioned reader will be even more
News, January 2020 Read More »
News
Which anniversaries are being marked in Britain in 2020? Here is a selection of noteworthy events and birthdays for you. You can be sure that each one will be on someone’s calendar for 2020 – and each one offers an insight into Britain’s story. A Bit About Britain only highlights significant anniversaries – centenaries, half
Anniversaries, 2020 Read More »
British Stuff History
The appointment of a new Prime Minister for the United Kingdom on 24 July 2019 necessitated an update to the list of British Prime Ministers provided on A Bit About Britain. Actually, the whole page looked a little tired. Accordingly, the opportunity is being taken to update it, adding brief biographical details of our illustrious
The office of Prime Minister Read More »
British Stuff News
Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2019? Here is a selection of noteworthy events and birthdays for you – each one was on someone’s calendar for 2019 – and each one offers a fascinating insight into Britain’s story. A Bit About Britain has only highlighted significant anniversaries – centenaries, half centuries and quarter centuries.Â
Anniversaries, 2019 Read More »
British Stuff History
A version of this feature is included in the book, ‘A Bit about Britain’s High Days and Holidays’. Of course, Christmas is Christmas and the basics are ubiquitous in any country with a Christian tradition. That said, everybody celebrates it, if they celebrate it at all, in their own way. Each family seems to have
The A-Z of Christmas in Britain Read More »
British Stuff Events
Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2018? The end of public hanging, votes for women, the first traffic light, the Roman invasion and Mick Jagger’s 75th birthday? Have a quick scan through the eclectic list of selected events below: though some may have slipped your mind, each one was on someone’s British calendar for
Anniversaries, 2018 Read More »
British Stuff History
Scotland’s national saint, St Andrew, has his day on 30th November. As well as being the patron saint of Scotland, St Andrew is the patron saint of Amalfi, Barbados, Greece, Romania, Russia, the Ukraine, singers, spinsters, would-be mothers, fishmongers and fishermen, gout and sore throats. According to the Scottish Government’s website, St Andrew’s Day “is
St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland Read More »
British Stuff Events Scotland
St George is the patron saint of England and St George’s Day is on 23rd April. Every year. Curiously enough, 23rd April is also the day that William Shakespeare, who put the words “Cry ‘God for Harry! England and Saint George’ “ into the mouth of his King Henry V, died; and it might even
For England and St George! Read More »
British Stuff Events
The page on A Bit About Britain entitled What does ‘Britain’ mean has been getting quite a few views lately. Whether that’s because there are people who foolishly want to try and understand our muddled foreign policy, or Britain’s relationships with our friends and allies; I couldn’t possibly say. I’m hoping it’s mostly because people
Great Britain, Britain, or the United Kingdom? Read More »
All British Stuff
Which anniversaries were marked in Britain in 2017? Have a quick scan through the eclectic list of events below, some of which may have slipped your mind; they were bound to have been on someone’s British calendar for 2017. 1650th anniversary of multiple assaults and near anarchy In 367AD, near simultaneous raids on Roman Britain
Anniversaries, 2017 Read More »
British Stuff History
Amazing; moving; humbling; impressive: words you could choose to describe the annual National Service of Remembrance held in London on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November. Thousands attend every year; thousands watch it on TV; thousands more attend similar, albeit slightly more modest, services throughout the United Kingdom – and beyond. It is an
National Service of Remembrance Read More »
British Stuff Events London