Britain not perfect but has a lot to be proud of
IN recent weeks it has become common to hear Britain’s history and culture being denigrated. Parts of Britain’s heritage have literally been torn down.
Britain has been described as an inherently racist county, with an evil, imperialist past. The question could be asked: “What good has Britain ever done for the world?”. The answer might be the same as that given in the Monty Python sketch: “What did the Romans ever do for us?” Quite a lot, actually.
Britain has given the world the universally loved sports of football, rugby and cricket.
These three sports have brought humankind more together than anything else in history.
Britain is the home of the Industrial Revolution. Britain gave the world the steam engine, the world’s first trains and the world’s first screw propeller ships. In the 1870s the craftsmen of Coventry made first safety bicycle and the world has been enjoying the joys of cycling ever since.
Newton revealed the secrets of gravity and his laws of motion are the basis of all engineering. Darwin explained the mystery of evolution and Watson and Crick the very essence of life’s DNA.
Britain’s Science and Maths is the foundation of all modern progress.
In literature, it is a truth, universally acknowledged, that British writers and poets are the crown jewels of the written word. From Austen to Hardy, from Dickens to Rowling, the world has read and enjoyed British classics and the world continues to read and enjoy these classic.
Britain gave the world Shakespeare. Translated into every language, Shakespeare has no equal in his exploration of the complexities of human emotion and frailty.
In music, Britain’s gifts to the world are bountiful. Be it the sweet, relaxing tones of Elgar or the adrenaline pumping chords of Holst,
British music is the music of choice in all corners of the globe. Freddy Mercury’s electrifying vocals can be heard at sports stadia in every continent whilst John Lennon’s Imagine can bring tears to eyes of the hardest of hearts.
British music crosses all frontiers, and unites us all in a common humanity.
The British people have suffered numerous terrorist attacks and outrages in the last 40 years. In response, there have been few acts of retaliation, few demonstrations or protests, few demands for violent revenge. Rather, the response has been that encapsulated by the words inscribed on the charred cross in the ruins of Coventry’s bombed Cathedral: “Father Forgive”
Britain is not a perfect country. Britain has a long and chequered history, but I am proud of Britain’s achievements and I am proud of what Britain has given to the world. I will stand up for, and I will stand by Britain and its heritage. M.judge, Coventry.
Some head teachers deserve more praise
When the children return to school it will be noted that many middle class children have excelled at home learning and will have taken full advantage of the on-line lessons.
In the least affluent areas many children, often without internet or computers, will have made little progress.
The Executive Heads of the schools in the affluent areas will then visit the Heads of the schools in the least affluent areas to advise them but some of the most effective head teachers will be running the schools in the more challenging areas and their talents and those of their staff should get more recognition.
They will be reluctant to point this out in case they are accused of using the children’s impoverished backgrounds as an excuse for low expectations. P. Graham, Nuneaton.