Resources
Celebrate British Heritage
Britain and its people are blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Expressed in its Union, historic sites, place-names, regions, cities, towns, countryside, buildings, literature, poetry, institutions and above all, her people.
This page is to build some resources for celebrating our heritage, from Saints days to books, May Day to Christmas.
I hope to build this over time. So bear with me!
Resources
Books
The English Year by Steve Roud (2006) Penguin Books.
A calendar of English customs and festivals from the widely celebrated to local events.
Check your local library for a copy, or to buy Amazon usually has secondhand copies from around £7 (check under the hardcover section).
Highly recommended for people looking for traditions and customs that may be in their region.
Historical Societies
https://folklore-society.com The Folklore Society (FLS) is a learned society, based in London, devoted to the study of all aspects of folklore and tradition, including: ballads, folktales, fairy tales, myths, legends, traditional song and dance, folk plays, games, seasonal events, calendar customs, childlore and children's folklore, folk arts and crafts, popular belief, folk religion, material culture, vernacular language, sayings, proverbs and nursery rhymes, folk medicine, plantlore and weather lore.
Days Out
English Heritage are a charity charged with the care of several hundred historic buildings, landmarks, monuments and sites. Many sites have free entry for a heritage day trip on a budget as well as paid access sites. There are many volunteering and membership opportunities. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk
Conservation
Preservation Equipment Limited are a company supplying the materials for the conservation of historical artefacts. Many items are useful for individuals simply looking to conserve family heirlooms. https://www.preservationequipment.com
Music & Arts
The English folk music tradition was furthered by the late, great Peter Bellamy in the latter 20th century and his extensive catalogue of English folk is recommended. He recorded many of Kipling’s ballads and Oak, Ash & Thorn is a good starting point, available on most streaming services.
Campaigns
https://saveourstatues.net A campaign to highlight and protest the removal of our material cultural heritage.
https://historyreclaimed.co.uk A group of independent historians aiming to provide context and balance to the interpretation of the past.
Reference
For information on crime and punishment and to search for historical court cases: