Real Britain Company News…

Stir-up Sunday is an informal term for the last Sunday before the Advent season, ie. the run up to Christmas.
The term comes from the opening words of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Through an association of ideas, the day subsequently became connected, especially in England, with the preparation of Christmas puddings in readiness for Christmas.

The Christmas pudding started life as a simple pottage which, over Yuletide, people enhanced with expensive spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg. ‘Stir up Sunday’ on 22nd November is the day we mix all the ingredients, and cook overnight, so that it has a month to mature. Tradition has it, if you find the coin, you will die rich and if you discover a ring, you will be married in a year!

Bath has always been a cultural place, and now there is a brand new art show! On until 21st November, across all of the galleries in Bath, this show features a whole range of artists, from the elusive street artist, Banksy, to Henry Moore. Find out more at The Bath Galleries Group.

On the first of November every year pre-1905 cars begin from Hyde Park Corner and drive to Brighton on the south coast. The first London to Brighton Run occurred on 14 November 1896 to celebrate the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot.

Until the end of the month the Manchester Science Festival is on. There are a huge number of events and topics to choose from. This is typically innovative of Manchester which now claims to be Britain’s second city! (Birmingham is not impressed….)

Perhaps not as famous as Cannes, but the London Film Festival is a great opportunity to see some excellent independent films and other events around the British film industry.

The Anglesey Oyster Festival used to be an informal social event whereby vast amounts of local oysters & alcohol were consumed! Now it covers a wider range of Welsh produce to appeal to more people and is much larger. Anglesey is often overlooked by tourists who stop short at Snowdonia. However this gentle isle is well worth a visit in its own right. This ancient isle, which was the last Druid stronghold in Britain, has many ancient monuments, and a lovely varied coastline.

If you love fireworks then this is a must! Over three days, seven companies will be show casing there pyrotechnic skills in Southport, Lancashire.