As to the honours - can we plead with the King ( or whoever has responsibilty) to drop the 'Empire' bit? it is beyond embarrassing. Maybe an Order of St.George ( first, second,third class etc) if English. Order of St.Andrew if Scots etc.
Also,while we're at it , the old but contentious chestnut, the National Anthem. God Save The King is the British and not solely the English Anthem. It seriously hacks off the devolved nations that we sing this and plays to the various nationalists' accusation of colonialism. It is also a bit of a dirge ( oh to be Welsh when the singing starts!).
Personally I favour 'Jerusalem' despite the risk of geographical confusion.
Hi Andrew! Good to hear from you! I agree the Empire connotation is increasingly outdated. A challenge too for the Commonwealth Games (formerly the Empire Games) as the Commonwealth itself is an increasingly tricky construct. As to anthems, it’s the Marseillaise all the way for me…
Another interesting piece Ed. I wonder how much the paucity of team sports now played in state schools impacts on the interest or lack of it for young people today. Even though my kids go to a traditional state Grammar school (and there are few of those around) the paucity of opportunity to learn and participate in team sports is a source of disquiet for me. My son gets his rugby and his cricket playing for local clubs. It has long been noted that at international level in some team sports eg rugby and cricket, those playing have mostly heralded from the independent schools sector which still promotes team sports and recognises the broader values it develops in young people.
I agree David. I fear it will be next to impossible to turn this tide, which makes club networks for team sports all the more critical
Ed, good stuff as ever .
As to the honours - can we plead with the King ( or whoever has responsibilty) to drop the 'Empire' bit? it is beyond embarrassing. Maybe an Order of St.George ( first, second,third class etc) if English. Order of St.Andrew if Scots etc.
Also,while we're at it , the old but contentious chestnut, the National Anthem. God Save The King is the British and not solely the English Anthem. It seriously hacks off the devolved nations that we sing this and plays to the various nationalists' accusation of colonialism. It is also a bit of a dirge ( oh to be Welsh when the singing starts!).
Personally I favour 'Jerusalem' despite the risk of geographical confusion.
Happy New Year!
Hi Andrew! Good to hear from you! I agree the Empire connotation is increasingly outdated. A challenge too for the Commonwealth Games (formerly the Empire Games) as the Commonwealth itself is an increasingly tricky construct. As to anthems, it’s the Marseillaise all the way for me…
Another interesting piece Ed. I wonder how much the paucity of team sports now played in state schools impacts on the interest or lack of it for young people today. Even though my kids go to a traditional state Grammar school (and there are few of those around) the paucity of opportunity to learn and participate in team sports is a source of disquiet for me. My son gets his rugby and his cricket playing for local clubs. It has long been noted that at international level in some team sports eg rugby and cricket, those playing have mostly heralded from the independent schools sector which still promotes team sports and recognises the broader values it develops in young people.