I read avery good article (Guardian I think) that exploded many of the myths about town halls not being able to fly the flag, banning Christmas, not being able to say blackboard etc. etc. Wish I could find it now. To anyone who is saying that we are not allowed to celebrate Englishness I would just say this. Just who are these people that are stopping you from doing it? Have you ever tried organising any celebrations yourself? Just stop and think for a minute. Why is St Patricks day celebrated more in New York and Chicago than in Dublin? Why is Burns night massive in Nova Scotia? Why is Eid a massive event in Rusholme, Manchester? Because people away from home have the strongest feelings for their old traditions maybe? Does anyone honestly think that they would be arrested by the "PC Brigade" (God, I hate that phrase) if they laid on Roast beef and plum duff on April 23? Come on, people. give it try. It doesn't hurt. Honest!

DeG