Britain's Union Flag - usually wrongly called the Union Jack - records in its name and fusion of three different emblems, the growth of one kingdom out of the successive union of three crowns.

   The original English flag was white and bore the plain red cross of
St. George, the country's patron saint. He was a 3rd century Christian soldier who had preferred death by beheading to denouncing his faith. The red cross recalled his martyrdom by Roman hands at Lydda, in Palestine. When the English Knights joined in the Crusades, they identified themselves by the saint's symbol. On their return, the religious emblem eventually became the national flag. 

   The choice of St. George as a patron has been linked with the tradition that during the Crusades, the saint's apparition rescued the English from the fury of their Moslem foes. His sudden appearance on the battlefield threw the Mohammedans into confusion and flight. Thus the English recognized and acknowledged him as their patron. King Edward III adopted his name as a battle cry, and his emblem became the English flag.

Buckingham Palace

    Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britains sovereigns since 1837. Today it is The Queen's official residence. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen.

   The State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors during the Annual Summer Opening in August and September.

    Is it just a rumour or is theyre really a beast lurking in the deep, dark waters of the Scottish lake? 60 years ago, hundreds claim to have witnessed the Loch Ness Monster and nicknamed her 'Nessie' (Will it ever be Proved)????

Scottish Dress ( The Kilt ).         The saying goes "The Kilt is seen as the national dress of Scotland and that "a man in a kilt is a man and a half." Kilts are distinctive, romantic and very colourful. The two pictures below are just a couple of different 'Tartans' that you can get in the form of a kilt, also pictured below..     The use of tartan in Scotland predates the kilt as tartan appeared as a design before the small kilt was invented. The first recorded use of the modern kilt was in 1575, but the use of the tartan predates this significantly.      The Tartan Kilt has long been the most recognizable cultural tradition of the Highland Scots. However it was developed in the nineteenth century, not by Scottish Highlanders, but by the Nobles of England and Scotland.

The DDraig Goch (red dragon) flag is the national flag of Wales, and has been officially recognised as such since the 1950s. By the way, the white-over-green field is the livery colours of the Tudors, the Welsh dynasty that once sat on the English throne.
Roy Stilling

Conventional wisdom is that the "draco" standards of the Romans were adopted by the Britons, probably as a metal (possibly real gold) head with a windsock type of body made of silk. In the mouth was a whistling type device that would make sounds as it was waved with vigor. Supposedly used by King Arthur, certainly used by the Wessex lords in the 700s, the emblem has been used by Britons right up to the present time. Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn! (The Red Dragon Gives Impetus!)
Dave Martucci

"Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn!" does have another meaning, which is why, according to an article in the current Flagmaster, it lasted for only six years as part of an "honourable augmentation" to the Welsh Emblem.

St David's Cathedral

St David is thought to have been born near the present town of St David's. The ruins of a small chapel dedicated to his mother, none, may be seen near St. David's Cathedral. David became the Abbot of St David's and died on 1st March 589. A.D. Rhygyfarch, a monk at Llanbadarn Fawr near Aberystwyth, wrote an account of his life towards the end of the 11th century. 

      Many miracles were attributed to him. One miracle often recounted is that once when Dewi was preaching to a crowd at Llandewi Brefi those on the outer edges could not hear, so he spread a handkerchief on the ground, and stood on it to preach, whereupon the ground rose underneath him, and all could hear.  He was buried in what is today St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. His holiness was such that medieval pilgrims equated two pilgrimages to St David's were worth one pilgrimage to Rome - a great saving in journeying at that time! Fifty churches in South Wales alone bear his name. 

    March 1st, St David's Day, is now the traditional day of the Welsh.  March 1 is the date given by Rhygyfarch for the death of Dewi Sant, was celebrated as a religious festival up until the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. In the 18th century it became a national festival among the Welsh, and continues as such to this day.

Coole Pard.....Gort Country

     Coole Park, now a nature reserve, was the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, dramatist and co-founder with Edward Martyn and W. B. Yeats of the Abbey Theatre. Attractions include exhibitions, tearooms, nature trails, walks, and the famous "autograph tree", a Lakeland a turlough.

   Blackpool's most electrifying night is when the Lights are switched on and the ceremony, a real razzmatazz showcase, has been performed by all the biggest names. Stars of Coronation Street, maestro of the musicals Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, even Kermit the Frog have had the crowds cheering as fireworks hit the sky and the eye dazzling display gets under way.

   Holidaymakers have tripped the Lights fantastic since 1879 when just electric arc lamps bathed the Promenade in what was described as artificial sunshine; we now know it as The Golden Mile. This is where people come from all over the country to travel up the promenade to see all the wonderful light displays e.g.; Eddie Stobart, Coronation street characters, Rings, Film Stars and thats just some of whats in store. The Golden Mile even offers seaside favourites like hamburgers, chips, ice cream and candyfloss. A place where silly hats and saucy T-shirts are the order of the day. The Golden Mile is also the slot machine capital of Britain where giant leisure centres are interspersed with the latest video technology. Discos, cabaret spots and exhibitions are all to be found on Blackpool's famous Golden Mile. Along the latest additions to the Mile is the 6 million pound Sea Life Centre with its thrilling 'shark tunnel'. Do the Golden Mile on foot to savour all the sights, sounds and smells. Then see it again from a tram or one of the fleet of horse-drawn carriages!