Domestic Goddesque

Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!

National identity is important, particularly for expats, who rarely need an excuse to have a party. As children growing up in ‘the territories’, these days were ideal opportunities to make a connection with the land mum and dad called home, which we often couldn’t remember. We got to make flags on St George’s Day, daffodils on St David’s and so on. We celebrated Burn’s Night and did something involving snakes on St Patrick’s Day. [The parents marked these occasions in the traditional fashion- with a jar or two of the appropriate beverage and a raging hangover the following morning.] We grew up knowing the words to the National Anthem (2 verses and yes, I still know them) and watching the Queen’s Speech- standing up- at Christmas was part of our festive routine. It was quite baffling to come back home and find that our sense of nationality was far stronger than the kids we went to school with. Things seem to be swinging in the other direction now though, as St George’s Day grows in popularity. Mainly, I suspect, because people hope that they will eventually get an extra holiday out of it. Looking at the weather, who can blame them? Our local pub is having a St George’s Event on Saturday- children can make flags and red roses, parents can have a jar or two and dance to the band, and there is a quiz of Englishness. With this in mind, I ‘borrowed’ one from freequizzes to test your knowledge…

What is the national flower of England?

01902 is the dialling code for which English city?

In which English city can you visit the Fitzwilliam Museum?

If it is Summer in England, which season will it be in Australia?

By what name do the French refer to the English Channel?

In which English city was the first Boots chemist opened?

Who famously said “England expects every man to do his duty”?

Who was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930?

In which English county are the headquarters of the Open University situated?

Name the former England cricketer who publicly stood by hair loss company Advanced Hair Treatment?

Oh, and an extra one from me: From which play does the (much quoted, and mis-quoted) quote at the top come?