A few weeks ago I happened upon a website "Icons – a Portrait of England" which seeks to capture all those elements of everyday life that make England what it is. It invites nominations for just about anything that people consider to be quintessentially English and has so far received over 1100 suggestions.
Nominations to date range from the unsurprising (roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, the English seaside town, afternoon tea and the red pillar box) to the rather more dubious (the word "blimey" and the TV programme "Countdown"). Real ale and our public footpaths are up there with the most popular too.
After a prospective icon has been nominated, visitors to the site simply click on a thumbs up “yes” or a thumbs down “no” to the question “is this an English icon?” and the site shows the percentage vote each way.
Given that pub walks combine two of our strongest traditions, I simply had to nominate them of course. And a Google search shows that this is almost uniquely an English hobby too.
It’s just a bit of fun I know but, if you think pub walks are an English icon, please go to Icons – a Portrait of England and click on the thumbs up “yes” vote! Thanks for taking part.
Today's pub walk: The White Hart (walk 3) in Campton, Bedfordshire.
The Pub WalkerMyFavouritePubWalks.com
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Just did a quick check on the Icons website and the current vote shows 78% in favour versus 22% against pub walks being nominated as an Icon of England.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not voted yet, why not take a look at their site anyway. Its fascinating seeing what everyone considers "Englishness"!