Oxford University college scraps St George’s Day event but will host Eid dinner
Banquet to mark end of Ramadan replaces formal celebration of England’s patron saint which ‘stretched back decades’
We English haven’t made much of St George’s Day for centuries. No need to, we’re top dog and that’s that. Also, we’re polite – famously so – meaning that we’ll not pressure lesser unfortunates by rubbing their noses in it in a celebratory manner.
Which entirely leaves time and space free for those less secure in their beliefs and identity to bolster their sorry lot.
Surely though, St. George’s birthplace was in Anatolia, in modern Turkey? So replacing the feast of St. George with Eid is just a modern updating?
Meanwhile, in real England the flags will be out and a few beers will be drunk to the spirit of St. George, if not the reality.
Those inhabiting the halls of Oxford are mostly newcomers anyway, from the Norman invaders to the Muslim ones. What would they know about England?
Sounds like a load of laughs, vicar.
Separate tables for the ladies, obviously, and assemble afterwards to see the throwing of gays from Carfax Tower.
The last time I strolled through the grounds of Magdalen College, it seemed as if a Moslem educational establishment had been built in them, together with lots of accommodation blocks founded by an Arabian family. But, to be honest, I had never heard of an Oxford College celebrating St George with a dinner. For one thing, it probably does not often fall within the dates of Trinity term
OK, I’ve done some research on Term dates for this and the next 7 years. Guess how many Trinity terms begin before 21 April? This year is the only one in the sample. I suggest that this story is bollocks
[The] Reverend Professor Robert Gilbert said “we will celebrate Eid with a festive dinner in the Hall”.
He added: “We will sit together in the body of the Hall, and the meal will follow Muslim customs: the meat dish will be Halal and no alcohol will be served. There will therefore be no dessert.
This sounds like a shit version of Christmas, but that’s what happens when your religion is some Arab guy’s fanfic version of the Bible.
– No need to, we’re top dog and that’s that. Also, we’re polite – famously so – meaning that we’ll not pressure lesser unfortunates by rubbing their noses in it in a celebratory manner.
With the lesser unfortunates in question, we’re going to rapidly (re)discover that to remain top dog you need kindness with the occasional slaughter. As our American branch used to say, “You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a two by four than you can with a kind word alone.”
And presumably very few Englishmen either.
Apart from Irish Americans does anyone really make a fuss of our four patron saints?
When I was a laddie the only fuss about St Andrew was by the country dancers. Good for them – such lovely, lively music – but it was hardly a great splurge of patriotism that grasped the nation.
If you’d asked me the date of it when I was a boy I’d have had to open my diary.
My (new) local town always celebrates St George’s Day, admittedly not always on the day itself, this year it was yesterday. St George slays the dragon and rescues the fair maiden in the town square and everyone nips off to the various pubs to celebrate.
This year we were also entertained by a local “side” of Morris Dancers… They used to dance in traditional “blackface” but they’ve had to change to red-and-black striped camouflage as they were being harassed about their “cultural appropriation”!
By “new local town” I mean it’s new to me, not a “new town” – it pre-dates the Domesday Book!
And another thing. I discovered recently that there had been an Empire Day/Commonwealth Day when I was young. And in my twenties. And thirties, and, and, and.
Until recently I’d never heard of it.
There again I had had no idea what the Cenotaph was until some twat was arrested for vandalising it. It seems that governmental attempts to stir my patriotic breast have been too lame to succeed. Mind you, I did march on Armistice Day and always bought a poppy. Even I knew what those were about.
I recall (hazily) many boozy college dinners during my time at Magdalen – none of them related to St George.
By being so polite you guarantee you won’t be top dog for much longer.
A large chunk of the world sees graciousness as a signal to attack.
When I was a laddie the only fuss about St Andrew was by the country dancers. Good for them – such lovely, lively music
Lol
My late missus was a big nane in Scottish Country Dance on the Continent. I utterly loathed the music, she had to warn me when she was going to practice so that I could stuff my ears with cheese and put the kitchen knives away.