'What England means to me' - St Georges Day event, Market Place, Brentford - Fri 23 April 2010
Dear allAt the Brentford High Street Steering Group meeting on Monday 15th Feb 6.30pm, Watermans Centre local community organisations will be further developing plans for an event around the theme of 'What England means to me' to celebrate St Georges Day event, Market Place, Brentford on Fri 23 April 2010 (late afternoon/ evening). As with all steering group meetings it is open to anyone interested in joining the discussion -- and preferably helping with delivery! The initial 'brainstorm' of ideas to date from a range of individuals, organisations and Syon and Brentford ward councillors includes:• Children dress up in knights and princess outfits (medieval costume) best dressed... • Traditional dress – Event company (maybe hire people in traditional costume) could encourage people to take part in activities• Serve traditional English dishes e.g. ( Beef Wellington, Huntington pudding, English cheeses,) (Hog roast)• Maybe have a stand for great British Ales• Bunting, red crosses, red and white balloons, raffles, prizes, party games,• Morris dancers (Ed. - have previously performed outside the Magpie & Crown)• Source - traditional English folk band• Market stall/ traders network.• Performance by the Brentford Belle’s (singers) • A Brentford themed menu? There is the old Brentford Rolls recipe. Does the Duke of Northumberland’s estate have any old local recipes….?• What are the links of Shakespeare/ Dickens to old Brentford pubs?• Robert Rankin – The Brentford Trilogy (very English, very Brentford!) • Can the Magistrates Court make their car park available – perhaps close off Lion Way to cars (except for access for traders?)Other input:"When [we] think of ‘What England means to me’ we think of our seafaring heritage, our ships, our boats, a country that started the industrial revolution. Brentford is a significant English town because of its waterways and industrial heritage – can we celebrate this? Create a festival down the high street of floats with boats perhaps, what about horses and narrow boats, what about the towpath? It would be great to engage with the history of our town and how its sense of Englishness has evolved. Celebrate our industrial heritage, what we transported, coal, grain, cotton etc.""Let us raise our consciousness of the exciting history we have created and given to England from Brentford. We can bring the town together from Kew Bridge Steam museum down to the canal basin.""We saw a 17th century map at the weekend and Brentford was the only significant place marked because of its significant position as a port on the river. “we should take advantage of the opportunity these events present to promote Community Cohesion and the concept of England as a modern, tolerant and culturally diverse society. “"Whilst I have a great interest in history and value Heritage, I think it is important that we celebrate what makes England great here and now. For example:England is the most racially integrated and tolerant country in the world. England is still a world leader for industrial design and engineering, e.g. Dyson vacuum cleaners and formula one racing cars. London is possibly the most important city in the world for the Fashion industry. England is a powerhouse for creative talent. For fifty years England has dominated world popular music, as well as being a global centre for the performing arts."England was the birthplace of football, rugby, tennis and cricket. All of which are still a part of daily life. English is still the most widely spoken language across the world. Students travel from all of the other countries to come to our great Universities."As a base for organisations such as Kew Gardens, WWF, Greenpeace and FOE, we lead the world on Environmental research and campaigning. For our sins, we are one of the centres for World Banking."England is the best country for wine lovers, because we import all the world's best wines, whereas the wine producing countries are heavily biased to their own domestic produce. So their consumers aren't given the full range of choice.""I believe I am correct in saying that Britain produces more varieties of cheese than anywhere else, including France."Further ideas/ reflections would be welcomed as a programme for the event is developed.Best wishesAndrew
Andrew Dakers ● 5925d23 Comments