English preservation society?

Lie back and think of England.

As a young woman of mixed european heritage I'm unsure exactly what it means to be either English or otherwise. But I do love the lyrics to this Kinks song below and the stereotype of Englishness it portrays and that has just about remained over the years.

The aesthetics such as the colours and pattern of a great english fry up on a plate, the red pop of an old telephone box, the London skyline, a bowler hat, british bookshops, tea shops - dated, inaccurate and stereotyped they may be but they do make me smile. Pimms and lemonade, cricket, WI meetings, garden fetes and the like!

Take a break, read these lyrics, lie back and think of England and what do you see?

We are the Village Green Preservation Society.

God save Donald Duck, vaudeville and variety.

We are the Desperate Dan Apreciation Society.

God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties.

Preserving the old ways from being abused.Protecting the new ways, for me and for you.What more can we do?

We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society.

God save Mrs. Mopp and good old Mother Riley.

We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium.God save the George Cross, and all those who were awarded them.

We are the Sherlock Holmes English-speaking Vernacular.God save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula.

We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity.

God save little shops, china cups, and virginity.

We are the Skyscraper Condemnation Affiliates.

God save Tudor houses, antique tables, and billiards.

Preserving the old ways from being abused.

Protecting the new ways, for me and for you.

What more can we do?

God save the village green.

R.Davies