It comes to something

[WBA1955]

People are missing the point entirely. What good does flag flying and national anthems do for a nation? Nothing. But it makes for a feel good factor, to let your hair down and forget the troubles of the world, to celebrate your own heritage. Which is why the Irish, Welsh, Scots and practically every country in the world celebrate their national day. It's why Jamaicans and Sikh's have their identity in the back windows of the car. Yes, on a flag.
I daresay St Georges Day is still allowed in rural English counties.
The one in Stone Cross was a big event, one of the organisers is a well known Baggie. People used to ride horses, dressed as knights and everyone looked forward to it. But it was banned by the council who said that they couldn't afford to police it. Ireland's a poor country by comparison, but I doubt very much they would tell people to go to work as they couldn't afford to have any event's.
The real reason I think the Stone Cross event was cancelled was because the area has a high number of ethnic minorities who the council didn't want to offend.
I don't think the ethnic groups would be offended, I am sure some used to go along. It's their country as well.
It's another case of people being offended on behalf of others.
You say this is a strange thread, but not as strange surely as celebrating another countries national day?🤔
The Irish aren't particularly fond of the English, and with good reason the way they have been treated by us for centuries, I wonder what they make of us celebrating their day?
We will be celebrating July 4 next, especially if the Tories are promised good trade deals.😉😃

[Albionic68]

Having been born to an Irish mother and an English father I can appreciate both days Des'.

I haven't been to the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Brum for years though and I find the high hat routine very patronising.

At the same time I used to go on the Stone Cross march and a good mate of mine used to dress up as a Knight.... foot mounted as there's not much call for horses these days in the part of Smethwick he's from.

Both are just days in the calendar to mark long dead people in fairytales, reflect on what made us and an excuse for a sips up.

I've never felt more Irish for drinking Guinness and I've never felt more English for knowing someone who walked around Stone Cross in mock chain mail.

Both can be done without fear of arrest or a need to justify yourself to anyone else. Cheers to Saint Patrick and GSTQ, I know how much time you have for the Royals afterall 😎 😉 .

[Dubbag]

Actually I was, Holden's.😉

😲 Spooky!

[WBA1955]

Having been born to an Irish mother and an English father I can appreciate both days Des'.

I haven't been to the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Brum for years though and I find the high hat routine very patronising.

At the same time I used to go on the Stone Cross march and a good mate of mine used to dress up as a Knight.... foot mounted as there's not much call for horses these days in the part of Smethwick he's from.

Both are just days in the calendar to mark long dead people in fairytales, reflect on what made us and an excuse for a sips up.

I've never felt more Irish for drinking Guinness and I've never felt more English for knowing someone who walked around Stone Cross in mock chain mail.

Both can be done without fear of arrest or a need to justify yourself to anyone else. Cheers to Saint Patrick and GSTQ, I know how much time you have for the Royals afterall 😎 😉 .

I think most Black Country folk have some Irish in them, myself included, my great grandparents came from old Temple Street in Bilston.
I like most people's culture's, food and traditions. I am not narrow minded.
I just don't understand why anything English is frowned on by some as if we are guilty of something.

[WBA1955]

😲 Spooky!

Black Country first, English second.😉

[Baggies_Boy_Tony]

Black Country first, English second.��

Welsh third, but only because I've lived there for nearly 20 years

[WBA1955]

Welsh third, but only because I've lived there for nearly 20 years

Our eldest has been living in Aberystwyth for the last 18 years.
We were there one weekend and Wales were playing Rugby, lots of their fan's were going into the pub to watch it.
I was wearing a metal England badge on my coat. My wife said, I should take it off as they might not like it.
F uck em, I said.😃

[Dubbag]

Our eldest has been living in Aberystwyth for the last 18 years.
We were there one weekend and Wales were playing Rugby, lots of their fan's were going into the pub to watch it.
I was wearing a metal England badge on my coat. My wife said, I should take it off as they might not like it.
F uck em, I said.��

You sound like one of those old grumpy men in the balcony of the Muppet show from years ago Des......

[WBA1955]

You sound like one of those old grumpy men in the balcony of the Muppet show from years ago Des......

People expect it when you get older, so who am I to disappoint them?🙂

[Dubbag]

Well what do you know....first time for everything after all......
Des...I'll have me England hat on tonight (as am sure many if not all Irish will be )....
All Ireland now has to come to terms with the real prospect that They actually want England to win....