I sit here, thanks for the help of america, in a FREE country - one which has more surveillance cameras than the rest of europe put together. One where armed police and army, guard national institutions. Where I am not encouraged to use the word "ethnic" - it has racial overtones. The place where we percieve the criminal has more human rights than the victim. A place that chooses who my friends or enemies are; which religion is 'preferable'; and where you, my foreign friends, no longer have free access. I am not sure my parents, certainly my grandparents, would recognise, my England. 

The sleeping dragon is stirring whilst the once proud eagle struts its stuff like a vulture. So will they swop examples: maybe 2 iraqs = one tibet.. .but I have no doubt that the victorian song will ring true..." Its the rich that gets the pleasure and the poor who gets the pain".

 Anyone who takes offence at this rant, remember I have no right to silence, just article 19 of the UN bill of human rights :

I can remember making paper lanterns to decorate our christmas tree, well before the days of mass produced items to adorn it. Lanterns have been used to light the way of many a traveller. Lanterns were used by smugglers to lure unsuspecting ships onto the cornish rocks. The ancient candlelit  lantern evolved into the "hurricane lantern" commonly used from the late 1800s through the middle of the 20th century,now replaced by the suffocating electric light which pollutes our city skies.

The chinese appear to have a fascination with fire, we have seen over recent days the firework displays celebrating the Lunar New Year of the rat. Today is Lantern Day. Today, the 15th day of the first lunar month will see the displays of lanterns throughout China.

But in another time and place. . . . .Buddhism first entered China during the reign of Emperor Mingdi but did not exert any great influence among the people. One day, Emperor Mingdi had a dream about a gold man in his palace. At the very moment when he was about to ask the mysterious figure who he was, the gold man suddenly rose to the sky and disappeared in the west. The next day, Emperor Mingdi sent a scholar to India on a pilgrimage to locate Buddhist scriptures. After journeying thousands of miles, the scholar finally returned with the scriptures. Emperor Mingdi ordered that a temple be built to house a statue of Buddha and serve as a repository for the scriptures. Followers believe that the power of Buddha can dispel darkness. So Emperor Mingdi ordered his subjects to display lighted lanterns during what was to become the Lantern Festival.

In common with France, it would appear that food plays a large factor in these family gatherings. Part of the Lantern Festival, or Yuanxiao Festival is eating small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour.  The fillings inside the dumplings are either sweet or salty. Sweet fillings are made of sugar, walnuts, sesame, osmanthus flowers, rose petals, sweetened tangerine peel, bean paste, or jujube paste. A single ingredient or any combination can be used as the filling . The salty variety is filled with minced meat, vegetables or a mixture. Receipes vary across the nation. The usual method followed in the south is to shape the dough of rice flour into balls, make a hole, insert the filling, then close the hole and smooth out the dumpling by rolling it between your hands. Then they are either boiled in a pan of water or steamed!

Let the worldling who seeks for the pleasures of wealth
    And the comforts which money may bring
Hear a song of the happiness, virtue, and health
    That from labour for ever will spring.
Let the thousands who toil in the town all the day
    Swell the strain with the sons of the soil,
And we'll sing, while the sunshine is lighting our way,
    Of the life-cheering pleasures of toil.

When the mind broods in silence o'er days that are gone,
    And remembrance is burdened with pain,
In the breast of the sluggard dark sorrow lives on,
    For his will never strives with its chain:
But the artisan feels, 'mid the whirl of his wheels,
    That joy which life's cares cannot spoil;
And with blithe heart he sings, as the loud hammer rings,
    Of the grief-slaying pleasures of toil.

When the passions of life meet in desperate strife—
    As when Anger holds combat with Love—
Let us toil through the storm, and with hearts fresh and warm,
    We shall see the bright sun rise above:
For while Sloth gives the chance for Dissension's advance—
    Which makes gentle ones weep and recoil—
Noble Labour's firm hand brings us safely to land
    Through the soul-cleansing waters of toil.

When the rich drone complains of the numerous pains
    That deprive him of comfort and peace,
He remembers, with sorrow, that wealth cannot borrow
    For him any lasting release.
Would he daily arise, bid adieu to vain sighs,
    And let Labour his nerves disembroil,
Like the lark on the wing, with the farmer he'd sing
    Of the health-giving pleasures of toil.

Then we'll cleave to our work and the gladness it brings,
    And if Indolence dares to say nay,
We can tell him that Adam, the father of Kings,
    Did his work, like a man, every day.
Let the thousands who toil in the great busy town
    Swell the strain with the sons of the soil,
And we'll spread o'er the earth the untarnished renown
    Of the pleasures, the blessings of Toil!

George Hull  (1863-1933)

 Academics at the Institute of Education in the University of London warned that pupils should not be encouraged to love Britain for its history. The report, by Michael Hand and Jo Pearce, said patriotism should be taught - but as "a controversial issue". The case for promoting patriotism in schools  is weak. Patriotism is love of one's country, but are countries really appropriate objects of love?  All national histories are at best morally ambiguous, it's an open question whether citizens should love their countries. Loving things can be bad for us.

  Is it any wonder that the country is morally destitute, intellectually bare of original thought, with this woolly left wing liberalism?  Some say children have too many examinations - let us remind ourselves that examinations are a last desparate attempt to produce well balanced citizens and are an examination of a teachers ability to teach, not the childs ability to learn. Teaching children "love is bad for you" just about sums up why society has no respect for fellow citizens, their property or values.

  The researchers questioned more than 300 teachers in London secondary schools and pupils aged 13-14.   Three-quarters of the teachers felt they had an obligation to alert their pupils to the dangers of patriotic sentiments. Only 9% of teachers thought schools should actively promote patriotism.

 Here are 300 reasons why they are WRONG.

Britons are losing a grip on fact and fiction - with nearly one in four believing Winston Churchill and Florence Nightingale are myths. And more than half think Sherlock Holmes actually existed. In a new survey, 47% of people thought that Richard the Lionheart, the 12th-century English king, was a myth. They were also under the impression that Charles Dickens, one of the most famous writers in English literature, was a fictional character himself. Indian political leader Gandhi; Cleopatra, ruler of ancient Egypt; adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh; British military leader Bernard Montgomery; and Boudica, famous for leading a major uprising against occupying Roman forces, were all thought to be characters dreamt up for films and books. Britons thought fictional characters like Sherlock Holmes and pilot Biggles were real, according to the survey of 3,000 people commissioned to celebrate UKTV Gold's forthcoming Robin Hood season. Over half of those questioned (58%) believe that the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for his novels of the late 1880s actually lived in Baker Street, with sidekick Watson. :

Historical figures and the percentage of Britons who believe they are myths:1. Richard the Lionheart (47%)2. Winston Churchill (23%)3. Florence Nightingale (23%)4. Bernard Montgomery (6%)5. Boudica (5%)6. Sir Walter Raleigh (4%)7. Duke of Wellington (4%)8. Cleopatra (4%)9. Gandhi (3%)10. Charles Dickens (3%). Fictional figures and the percentage of Britons who believe they are real:Sherlock Holmes (58%)Biggles (33%)

The Government has called for history lessons to help children develop a sense of their British identity and a love of their country. Is it any wonder ???????

Will the politically correct stifle this proposal? Why not? They have destroyed everything else that people believe in.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is set to make his first public appearance since controversy erupted over his comments on sharia law.Rowan Williams last night hit back at criticism, amid growing calls for his resignation. A statement on his website. He was "exploring ways in which reasonable accommodation might be made within existing arrangements for religious conscience" and his core aim was "to tease out some of the broader issues around the rights of religious groups within a secular state". The last politician to "tease out issues" within the secular state of England was Enoch Powell. He predicted the separation of the various cultures,that flood into the country, would eventually cause mistrust and disharmony amongst all citizens and possibly lead to civil disorder. [Sound familiar?]. Adopting any foreign culture is definately NOT the answer. We are led to believe that millions fled to this country to escape the very cultural ethics the the archbishop wants to re introduce to England. Reintroduce? It is only 300 years ago that we stopped chopping off the hands of thieves, 150 years ago that we abolished slavery and 80 years ago that women received the vote. If the immigrants value our society they should live within its rule! After all they all gained independance from the benevolent British Empire because they did not value our contribution to their development. If Dr Rowan wants to minister to the followers of Sharia Law let him set up camp in Iran or Nigeria, not in Canterbury or York. 

中国新年快乐

THE DAY A TEAM DIED 50 YEARS AGO TODAY, 6th FEBRUARY 1958.....

The radio announced the news flash. " A plane carrying the Manchester United football team, has crashed in Munich. . . . . "

 I cycled to the ground  passing small groups of people standing on street corners, gleaning what sparse information was available. No multimedia coverage in those days. The whole City was stunned. Almost at a standstill for days. The cold temperatures were nought compared to the icy feeling of despair and loss. The next day was a schoolday and on arriving there on the 62 bus I found the whole school engulfed in grief. Throughout the day there were tears from both City and United fans, the grief was shared by all Mancunians. Rumour and counter rumour enflamed the sorrow. Nothing would change the fact that seven of our heroes were dead and an eighth,DuncanEdwards and the clubs Manager Matt Busby,were fighting for their lives.  Days later we stood  as hearse after hearse made the slow journey from Manchester Airport to the ground at Old Trafford. I was one of thousands who turned out to pay my last respects to my hero's.    

On February 6th.1958 a whole generation of schoolchildren grew up. Death was no stranger to this brave new generation. A large number of my classmates at Princess Road Primary School had lost fathers'and Mothers in what was then,the recent war.  During that February weekend it snowed,focusing even stronger our thoughts on the distant German city of Munich.  Duncan Edwards died 2 weeks later.  In 1955 aged 18, he had become the youngest player to appear for England in the 20th century.

Today I am still unable to fathom why a supposedly experienced pilot, made 3 attempts to take off with the 'planes wings coated in ice, along a snow covered runway, in a raging blizzard. Is it any wonder I have an inate fear of flying ? 

We stopped being just another football club on the afternoon of February 6 1958 when Flight 609 carrying them home from Belgrade crashed after a refuelling stop at Munich. A transformation took place in the national consciousness as a stunned public learnt of the tragedy that had wiped out the cream of a generation, the Busby Babes. Sir Matt Busby returned to manage the team to European Cup success on May 29th 1968.

.

Manchester United plan to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of 23 people -- including eight United players -- with a minute's silence before the Manchester derby against City on February 10.

MANCHESTER 2008 (Reuters) -

Manchester City will join Manchester United in marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster when they visit Old Trafford in the Premier League next month. City will wear a special kit incorporating a black ribbon with their sponsors branding removed to reflect their own involvement in the tragedy which claimed the life of their former great England goalkeeper Frank Swift who played for the club from 1933 to 1949. The disaster, on February 6 1958, occurred when the aircraft carrying United back from a European Cup match in Belgrade crashed on takeoff after a refuelling stop in Munich. Eight of Sir Matt Busby's exciting young team, dubbed "the Busby Babes" died as did 15 other people including Swift, who was covering the match as a reporter. A letter, and a photograph of Swift will be handed to all the 3,000 City fans attending the match signed by City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and club captain Richard Dunne urging them to respect and support the commemorations planned to take place on the pitch before the kickoff. "Many supporters will already be aware that Manchester City lost one of our own in the tragedy. We ask that all supporters uphold the good name of Manchester City and respectfully support the commemorations which will also be attended by friends and family of the victims including Frank Swift's family." Former Manchester United club secretary Ken Ramsden, who has helped organise the commemorations for the day said on Wednesday: "What happened at Munich was not just a disaster for United but for the whole of the city of Manchester and we are sure that City fans will unite with us and share in the occasion with us." United will also wear a special replica of their 1958 kit on the day, devoid of the players' names or shirt numbers on the back.

Today although we ,who were teenagers in 1958 have drifted away from our home city and are scattered to the four corners of the planet,  we remember them with pride.

                                                     

Roger Byrne, 28, Eddie Colman, 21, Tommy Taylor, 25, Mark Jones, 24, David Pegg, 22,  Billy Whelan, 22, Geoff Bent, 25, Duncan Edwards 21.

Continue to rest in peace.

This is the story of Harry Gregg, goalkeeper, a forgotten hero !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/ulster_aod.shtml?ulster/munichremembered

1957 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS