We’ve got another big announcement for today, we’ve written a guidebook!

We know that Britain can be an expensive place to travel. After nearly 10 trips to Britain in the past decade, we’ve seen it all. That said, we’ve gathered quite a bit of knowledge over the past few years on how to travel on a Budget.

We’ve taken than knowledge and packaged it into a new guidebook called 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips.

It’s an instant download that you can take with you anywhere. It features some knowledge that we haven’t seen in the guidebooks to help you plan and enjoy a trip to Britain on a budget.

For a limited time you can get it for just $10 but act fast – the price will be going to to $20 in the near future!

Interested?

Find out more here!

We’ve Written a Guidebook! 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips – Download Now! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Great news for our loyal readers. We’ve partnered with Virgin Vacations to offer a sweepstakes to our US audience. The prize is a 4 night London getaway!

Here are the prize details:

We’ve partnered with Virgin Vacations to provide an excellent prize package.

• Two (2) roundtrip economy class tickets for the Winner and one (1) adult companion on Virgin Atlantic from one of the a Virgin Atlantic’s gateway cities in the United States of America to London, United Kingdom.
• Transfer from the Airport to Central London Hotel
• 4 Nights Stay in a Central London Hotel (to be determined by Virgin Vacations).
• 1 copy of Rick Steves’ London Guide; and
• 2 Oyster cards

The contest we ran last year was such a success that we’re really excited to be able to partner with Virgin Vacations on this. Unfortunately, due to the terms of the prize, we can only offer the prize to US residents of the lower 48 states. I know we have a lot of Canadian readers so we’re very sorry about this – we tried to find a solution but we could not.

Click here to enter!

Anglophile Alert: Win a London Getaway from Virgin Vacations! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I am an Aussie and have been a dedicated and devoted Anglophile from the moment I set foot on British soil for the first time way back on 24 August 1994. I immediately felt that I’d arrived home. And that was even before I’d left Heathrow airport! In a black cab – was so excited – that took me to my B&B in beautiful Kensington. And adding delight on my first day there, two Bobbies were patrolling a nearby street, just like a scene out of The Bill and countless movies.

I have since been back nine times and realised a dream when I lived and worked in London for six months in 2007. While my devotion to the place was then occasionally tested, albeit only fractionally, my love for Britain and all things British remains immovable.

It’s quite hard to describe just what it is about Britain, London in particular, that has inspired my ardour, apart from the obvious – its countryside, history, culture, food (yes! the very unfairly maligned British cuisine), the architecture and the reserved, but essentially kind and tolerant natives. I’m still trying to work it out so that can explain to those not so enamoured of the place…and you may not believe it, there are one or two people of my acquaintance who’ve visited the UK and don’t actually like it….tsk! Tragic souls they are, but they think I’m the tragic one! How could anyone not feel the same way as we devotees who come over all misty-eyed whenever we think of England.

I guess my growing up years watching a steady diet of British television started it all, especially their wonderful comedies and outstanding dramas. They truly excel at both, don’t they? I am especially fond of low-brow British comedy – the Carry On movies, the Benny Hill Show and Little Britain are my favourites. Yes, they’re corny in that old-fashioned, kiss-me-quick, naff way, but they’re just very entertaining and flag bearers of a great bawdy tradition practiced by the likes of Shakespeare and Chaucer. I’m really fond of Austen Powers, too.

Am from English stock. My father’s mother grew up in Grantham and his father’s family originated from beautiful Dorset. Plus, I am very proud to tell you that my father flew Wellington bombers in the war and spent nearly four years in the UK doing his bit to keep the country and empire safe for the next generations. I regret not asking my father much more about his time and experiences in England, but he passed away several years before my first visit there.

Being an Anglophile certainly makes it a breeze for family and friends when it comes buying gifts for me. Only last Christmas I received a London taxi-themed cushion, a double decker red bus ceramic money box, red bus salt and pepper shakers and a little leather Union Jack coin purse. Am so easy to please. They’ve joined all of the other British-themed paraphernalia here in my study – the big poster of the Houses of Parliament over my desk; a white ‘England’ baseball cap with it’s three lion embroidered logo; numerous Union Jack-themed badges, socks and cups; a load of UK travel guides in a row in my bookcase; and the latest London souvenir calendar. And of course, the home web page on my computer is the BBC news page. Actually, it was the BBC, now it’s Anglotopia….

I wonder if it ever crosses the minds of my nearest and dearest that I might one day fall out of love with the UK; they’d be in a right pickle present-wise, wouldn’t they, to use a favourite English expression? Although, they’re pretty confident that sad day will never come.

While he was on book tour of Australia some years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the lovely US writer, Bill Bryson, an out and proud Anglophile if ever there was one. He writes about the UK with such affection and insight and deftly highlights its many wonderful aspects, while poking gentle fun at its many peculiarities and foibles.

He sums up his feelings beautifully in his acclaimed 1995 book about Britain, ‘Notes from a Small Island’:

“Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain – which is to say, all of it. Every last bit of it, good and bad…….I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I like it here. I like it more than I can tell you.”

Me too.

________________________________________________________________________________
Hope you don’t mind if I share some excerpts from the various emails I’ve sent home to Australia in recent years describing some of my UK experiences……

11 June 2007

Seems as if I’ve been living here forever, but it’s only been just over three months. Still rapt in London and now that summer has (more or less) arrived, it’s been lovely getting about and the sun isn’t setting until well after 9pm. Mind you, the weather has been erratic lately – last weekend and this one have been fabulous, hot even (in summer, who’d have thought?), but last Monday dawned cold and wet, so it was back to the overcoats and scarves.

I travel to work everyday on the Tube, which is amazing, but is a nightmare when things go wrong. Back in March, the Underground broke the record and carried a mind-boggling one million passengers in just one morning. Londoners moan endlessly about it, with good reason at times, but if ever they find themselves living in some other part of the world, they list the Tube as one of the things they truly miss. It has a life of its own and an unwritten protocol that more or less forbids you from chatting with your fellow passengers; it’s just not the done thing. But people will instantly give up their seats to oldies, pregnant ladies and mums with prams and offer to help in any way they can.

And it’s a goldmine if you’re into people-watching. I really enjoy speculating about the lives of my fellow passengers. Apparently, lots of celebs travel on the Tube all of the time, but I’ve yet to spot one, but that’s another unwritten rule – it’s cool to pretend not to recognise famous people if they happen to be sitting near you on the train or bus.

London just never stops and summer’s arrival will mean loads more visitors, although because their dollar is currently worth only half the English pound, plus the terrorist threat, fewer US tourists are anticipated this year. Thank heavens! You can only tolerate so many American accents in your ear asking “excuse me ma’am, can you tell me which bus or Toob train will get me to Harrods?” Am being really unkind, aren’t I, as Britain’s US visitors are always unfailingly polite and enthusiastic.

Work’s going okay, just don’t have enough to fill my day, which is really frustrating and everything to do with planning is as dull as dishwater. I’ve learnt more about the Hazardous Waste Act than I seriously care to know about. One thing, though, when I first started they would talk about the G & T Act – I thought how incredible, only in the UK would they have official legislation to preserve that great British institution, the gin and tonic! But it’s all about gypsies and travellers, who are a big problem/issue that no pollie at any level wants to deal with, like the homeless.

Another fact I learnt (and wished I hadn’t!) is that London’s water is recycled from the Thames – there’s a massive circular pipe beneath the city that sloshes water around four times through a series of filters before it’s effectively purified….well, that’s their story. Was told this after I’d been drinking the stuff straight from the tap for weeks. No wonder my immunity’s dodgy! But am sure the water is perfectly okay and gone are the days when falling into its once-toxic depths meant a sure death, but just one look at the Thames isn’t very reassuring. And the Water Police pull all sorts of horrid detritus from its murky bottom – I learnt that too when I was unwise enough to watch a BBC television documentary about their role.

Went on a picnic last weekend with a bunch of girls to Primrose Hill in north London, which is quite high up and has wonderful views over the entire city. It was a beautiful summer’s day and so relaxing.

13 July 2007

Here I go again and don’t mean to whinge or complain (me? complain?) but I’ve seen more water here in the last month than in my entire life. June was the coolest, wettest in the UK in 150 years, which I don’t doubt at all and the poor flood victims in some parts of the Midlands haven’t touched solid ground for weeks. Think we were all on the verge of developing footrot.

But last weekend was great, the sun re-appeared, which was some consolation as it seemed that summer was going to pass us by completely. It’s as well because there was lots on over here as you probably know, such as the UK leg of the Tour de France, the Live Earth concert, the Wimbledon finals, the British Grand Prix and most importantly, the summer sales.

Then there was the Concert for Diana and the Gay Pride March the previous weekend, so London is really abuzz. It’s also abuzz with tension due to the terrorist threat. Am a bit of a Nervous Nelly myself, but Londoners just carry on and act as if it’s just more of an inconvenience than anything to as profound as life and death.

Was on my way to the Selfridges sale the Sat before last and got caught up in the crowds cheering the Gay Pride March as it made its way down Oxford Street while the rain fell and did some serious damage to the trannies’ make-up. But they and the passing parade of out Bobbies, young gay Muslims (all three of them), the Peace float and the rest of eye-opening sprectrum of London’s gay community got plenty of encouraging hoots and whistles.

After I’d finished at my usual Internet lounge later that day, took a short cut through Soho, which was alive with anticipation of the night’s debauchery….and that was just at 6pm! It was really crowded and I had to dodge and weave to avoid flying bottles and, er, other flying stuff. But rest assured I made it safely to my bus stop without being propositioned by anyone, gay or straight…..which is a bit sad; if you can’t get propositioned by at least one drunk celebrating Gay Pride night in London then there’s no hope for you!

And nearly ended up outside the latest ‘Harry Potter’ film premiere in Leicester Square. A large limo pulled up in front of me in a nearby street while on my way to my usual sushi restaurant in The Haymarket (yes, The Haymarket, where THAT car bomb was parked) and out popped the actress who plays Hermione, with a very bossy publicist leading the way. Was really torn – should I stay and join the screaming 12 year-olds in the Square and await Daniel Radcliffe’s arrival or carry on my way? It was the biggest dilemma I’ve faced since I’ve been here, but after a moment’s thought decided to go on my way. You have to get in early to snaffle those fresh California Rolls where I was headed!

Have another picnic with the girls coming up on Saturday and really looking forward to it. The venue this time is Hampstead Heath in north west London, my favourite of all the London’s parks – it’s wild in parts, quite different to it’s more manicured cousins, Regents and Hyde Parks. But they’re all really beautiful, especially at this time of year.

20 August 2007

On the subject of rain (yes, yes, here I go with my customary moan…), as is the norm now, the UK’s been deluged with the stuff just lately on top of last month’s floods, with some rare respite at times. Generally it’s been a pathetic summer (and I use the word ‘summer’ loosely) and the best sellers in the shops all season have been hot water bottles and takeaway soup. Seriously! The loads of summer gear that’ve been on display weren’t shifted at all and now overcoats, scarves etc are starting to re-appear on the shelves.

I explore London at every opportunity and am entranced by it more than ever. The other night I met a friend for dinner and we ended up wandering around St Paul’s, then found a wonderful old pub called ‘The Old Cheshire Cheese’ on Fleet Street. It was built in about 1697 and was the local for famous writers such as Dickens and Thackeray and numerous journalists. It’s a traditional ‘spit and sawdust’ pub, but thankfully without the spit these days and serves the best steak ‘n kidney pie in London. It was particularly atmospheric at that time of the evening, a real gem.

And I continue to be engrossed by my fellow Tube passengers. The daily goings on in the Underground and it’s range of humanity are the source of much indignant correspondence to the newspapers, particularly the tales about people who use their commuting time to carry out some especially gross grooming practices that they don’t have time to do before they leave home of a morning. Luckily, I haven’t witnessed anything too repugnant on my regular Tube journeys on the Jubilee line, or even experienced the odd grope that’s the scourge of females on the really crowded trains.

I love working in Westminster – my almost daily walks (weather permitting!) around its beautiful backstreets and there are a number of gorgeous little pubs around the area and Buckingham Palace is just up the road. I often go past it and on through Green Park if I decide to walk to my Tube station of an afternoon; it’s a very pleasant way to end the working day. If I go the other way on the bus up Whitehall there’s one point of the journey where you can see Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey in one frame – it never fails to bring out the wide-eyed tourist in me. It’s a brilliant sight and I always make a point of taking it in.

I’m actually finishing up at the end of this month to go travelling with a friend around Europe and am feeling pretty happy to be liberated from the dry, tedious world of government planning. My job’s boring enough, so I have genuine compassion the Civil Servants who’ve been in the dept for years and do the policy stuff around peat, graveyard/cemetery regulations (te, he…the ultimate dead-end job, hey?), blight(??) and high hedges. I know these matters are important in that they directly impact on people lives…..but, goodness me.

I’ll miss the staff cafeteria, though and my chats with the friendly, young, gay bloke who doles out the nosh while bitching about his bosses, as well as asking me all about Australia as he’s heading Down Under in December for a couple of weeks. He’s so excited about the trip, a 21st birthday present and “gets goose bumps with the anticipation”, to use his favourite expression. Suspect that he gets goose bumps about a lot in his life – what a character.

22 Sept 2007

My last full day here and at this Internet cafe after a morning mooching around some much-loved London spots and feeling very sad and misty-eyed, but true to form it’s cool, windy and overcast just to remind me that there are one or two aspects about the place that I won’t miss at all. There’s loads that I will miss, though – the kindness and tolerance of Londoners, the solidity of the buildings, the Tube and the fantastic public transport in general, the great nosh, the free newspapers, Selfridges and just London itself…in my opinion the most marvellous city in the world. 

There were no regrets at all about finishing my job here with the Dept for Communities, although I was sorry to say goodbye to my workmates who very kindly gave me a lovely send-off gift and some nice (if untrue) words were spoken….they were tactful enough not to mention that I never did grasp even the simplest intricacies of government planning! To be honest, I would have been worried if I did – it was very tedious and not having enough to do each day (while trying to look gainfully employed!) was taxing enough on my tiny brain. But was very grateful to have stayed working in the one spot for the six months that I did, which handily coincided with the six-month lease on my little flat in Willesden Green. 

8 June 2009
Just thought I’d send an update while I have a spare hour or so between gadding about London, eating, shopping, eating, checking out the culture and er, eating.

The UK summer has been mostly wet and cool. But we’ve just had about a week of the most glorious sunny weather and last Monday, the newspaper medical columnists were telling people how to treat the sunburn they suffered after exposing their snowy-white bods to the previous day’s ‘heatwave’ conditions (26 degrees tee, hee). Shouldn’t laugh, the Poms need as much colour and vitamin D as they can get. But this weekend has been rainy and chilly.

The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy with our travels down to Cornwall and up to the Lake District and giving ourselves a couple of weeks off here sightseeing here in London until we head off to Paris in mid-June. My sister and I have traversed most of the inner London area, from Chelsea, Fulham and Putney in the south, north-west to the lovely Hamstead Heath, east to Wapping and ultra-modern Canary Wharf and the tourist spots in between. So we’re getting more than our value from the wonderful Oyster card that allows us to trip around on the Tube and red buses as often as we like. 

Cornwall was lovely and the Lake District is so beautiful, one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever seen. We didn’t get very good weather in either spot, but not to worry the rain and mist made the local vistas seem all the more dramatic and rugged. We did a steam boat ride on Coniston Water (very, very stunning) and also visited an owl sanctuary at one of the local castles. I wasn’t aware they’re such big critters or that there are so many varieties of them, plus they live in all corners of the world, including parts of Africa. Not that I stayed around when a couple of them were bought out for their afternoon feed on account of my feather phobia and their creepy unblinking gaze. 

Our Windermere B&B was very nice and cosy and we tucked into hearty, full English breakfasts every morning. The quality of the food over here is excellent….

Unfortunately, I managed to badly burn my left hand with scalding water on my third day here….gosh, the pain! I didn’t get medical attention for it straightaway and when I did up in Windermere, the nurse was appalled, equally at my crappy bandage job as for leaving it so long.

When she told me how “brave” I’d been, I merely shrugged, with the implication that as an Aussie……but was feeling too faint and nauseous to utter a single word. Anyway, she put on a proper burn dressing, which resembles Glad Wrap and gives everyone a clear view of the yucky damage. It’s been very handy to scare off pesky kids venturing too near me in public places, plus perfect strangers have been very kind and concerned about it and on one occasion, even offered me a seat on a crowded bus. The English are so caring in that way.

Have been avidly reading the papers here each day; what with the huge build-up to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and the politicians’ perks scandal, the headlines and columns have been a joy. British journalists have such a great turn of phrase and so scathingly accurate; I would hate to be a public figure over here. 

See the Aussie cricket team has arrived here for the Ashes…..the hapless Poms were beaten by the Dutch in their first Twenty20 game so don’t think there’s any doubt about who’ll win the Ashes.

23 November 2011

It has been foggy and getting seriously chilly here in London, plus it gets dark very early very quickly. But when it is light, we’ve had sunny days more often than not and apparently the UK has experienced the “warmest” autumn in 350 years. The trees have shed their foliage on a big scale and the local streets are awash with massive brown leaves. It’s all quite beautiful. I’ve not experienced a northern winter before and really love my regular walks around Hampstead Heath here in north-west London and seeing the seasonal changes there. The Heath is probably my favourite London place (after Selfridges department store!) and I especially enjoy watching the many dogs running around there. They tear around at great speed and with such unalloyed joy – guess they’re stuck indoors most of the time so they make the most of their outings.

Speaking of dogs, we made the acquaintance of Dolce (a cute teacup Pomeranian) down in Chelsea while purchasing our favourite handmade pies at the King’s Road food market. His owner informed us that despite his name, Dolce eschews accessories and wasn’t even wearing a collar. And the other day on my way back from the Heath I got to pat a local dog, Paddington, a gorgeous Golden Retriever who didn’t mind being made a fuss of at all. Haven’t been able to get a cat fix though, apart from spotting the odd moggie sitting on a windowsill basking in the sun.

Love staying here in this beautiful flat and its great location halfway down the hill between genteel, very wealthy Hampstead and the more bohemian West Hampstead, where a lot of famous actors and theatre people live, although we’ve not spied any celebrities so far.

We took ourselves into Oxford Street for the the turning on of the Christmas lights, which was all good fun. Apart from one tosser, who, all the while holding his infant daughter, picked fights left, right and centre in his quest to get to the front of the crowd. That was almost as entertaining as the acts on stage, none of whom we’d heard of. ‘The Saturdays’ was one of them, a girl group in the mould of the ‘Spice Girls’, but with talent.

We ventured down on the train to Sussex to visit Brighton the other week, where we had a good day. The highlight was having lunch at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant located in a fashionable part of Brighton called The Lanes. We also carefully picked our away along the pebbly beach, visited the Royal Pavilion and took loads more photos.

Yesterday, we travelled over to Cardiff and spent most of the day down on the regenerated docks area wandering around the Millenium Center with its spectacular copper facade and had a yummy fish and chip lunch at a cafe overlooking Cardiff Bay. Had never been to Cardiff before – it wasn’t as grand as I expected, although not sure why I thought it would be. But the locals were friendly (apart from a very unhelpful taxi driver) and we got around on a Big Bus tour, which consisted of 12 highlights, one of which was a multi-story, award-winning carpark(!?).

Anyway, it was a day out of London and the train journeys there and back were pretty relaxing….apart from the two very chatty German girls who yacked for the entire 40 minutes between Swindon to Cardiff. And we copped some extremely garrulous young blokes on the way back, who didn’t shut up all the way to London. Tortuous, especially if you’re a captive passenger on a very fast train and didn’t have the forethought to book seats in a ‘quiet’ carriage.

As always, love being here in London despite its many foibles and frustrations. Not to mention the sometimes grey weather, crowds and its relentless pace. You may have heard about the anti-capitalist camp set up outside St Paul’s Cathedral – it has managed to completely polarise opinion here and set up a big ethical and moral dilemma for the church, particularly those running the cathedral as they rely on massive tourist income to maintain the place. Not sure how it’s all going to end, but shows no sign of being resolved any time soon. The fortitude and sincerity of the camp inmates is questionable though – most of them head home at night to their warm beds, then return in the mornings to resume their objections. Sounds like my sort of protest camp!

Guest Post: An Aussie’s Love Letter to the UK by Kathryn Martin is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Our friends at British Airways have launched a new commercial – hot off the heals of their last commercial. This on is geared towards London 2012.

From their description:

This year, the eyes of the world will be on us. We’re proud to be ready to use our experience and expertise to fly customers from all over the world to London. Watch our new film to see how our team is in place and ready to serve.

Book your trip to Britain with British Airways!

British Airways: Airline Releases new Advert for London 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

There are different reasons as to why a migrant leave his/her country of origin and come to the UK. Some might wish to invest in the UK by setting up a business under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor categories. Others might want to further their career or pursue academic or professional studies. However, the long term strategy is often, consciously or sub-consciously, to settle in this country. In spite of its many misgivings the UK maintains a fairly relaxed policy, at least compared to other English speaking countries, in terms of permanent residence and acquisition of British nationality.

Residence requirements

There are different criteria to be met to qualify for UK settlement (indefinite leave to remain), but the key requirement must be that of “continuous residence in the UK”. The specified period will depend on which route the applicant is applying for UK settlement. In broad terms, the Immigration Rules are divided between “working route” and “family route”. Under most working visa categories (Tier 1/Highly Skilled or Tier 2/Work Permit), an applicant will need to spend five years in the UK to qualify for settlement. Under the family route (spouse, civil and unmarried partner), an applicant might be able to qualify having spent two years in the UK.

Accelerated UK settlement routes

Of course, there are exceptions. Under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route, one might qualify for settlement having spent three years in the UK if the business were to employ 10 British or settled workers in the UK or generate a turnover of £5 millions. Under the Tier 1 Investor category, the required period for permanent residence might be reduced to two or there years depending on the level of investment. In addition, applicants who were granted leave to remain as Tier 1 Investors or Entrepreneurs are permitted to be absent from the United Kingdom for up to 180 days in any 12 calendar months without jeopardising their application for settlement in the UK.

Absences and breaks in residence

It’s important to understand how the period of residence for UK settlement is calculated and what constitutes a break leaving the applicant short or unable to qualify. Under Tier 1/Highly Skilled and Tier 2/Work Permit visa categories, an applicant should not spend more than 18 days outside the UK in the five years period. However, short absences abroad, for example for holidays or business trips, may be disregarded, provided the applicant has clearly continued to be based here. In addition, discretion may be applied when there have been longer absences abroad, provided the absences were for compelling reasons.

In the case of settlement eligibility of spouses, civil or unmarried partners of UK citizens there is no specific requirement in the Rules that the entire probationary period must be spent in the United Kingdom. For example, where an applicant has spent a limited period outside of the United Kingdom in connection with his/her employment, this should not count against the applicant. However, if they have spent the majority of the period overseas, there may be reason to doubt that all the requirements of the Rules have been met. In such instances each case must be judged on its merits, taking into account reasons for travel as well as the length of absences.
Anyone submitting an application for settlement is strongly advised to seek professional legal advice.

UK Immigration: Settlement in the UK – Why Do Absences Matter? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week’s show comes from the unusual environment of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park near Mile End tube station.

His guests this week are:

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 31 January 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Given the recent growth of interest in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and the various announcements of pageants, flotillas, beacons and concerts, you may be wondering how you can play your part in the Diamond Jubilee. One answer is to enter the Jubilee Time Capsule.

The Jubilee Time Capsule offers people across the globe an innovative way to share their memories and mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and her 60th year as Head of the Commonwealth.

An exciting digital Diamond Jubilee initiative from the Royal Commonwealth Society; the Jubilee Time Capsule will chart the 60 years of Her Majesty’s reign from the people’s perspective and will be gifted to The Queen following the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June.

The Royal Commonwealth Society is inviting you to select one of the 22,000+ days between 6 February 1952 and 6 June 2012 and share your story of that day. Be it a memory of the Royal Wedding, or a memory of your first day at school in 1972.

So far over 22,000 pieces of content from 7,000 people in 40 countries across the globe have been submitted.

Contributors range from school children in Australia to Chelsea Pensioners in the UK. A number of high profile contributors have also submitted memories, from British television presenter Gok Wan to the Dean of Westminster Abbey.

One of the most popular days in the time capsule so far is the 29 April 2011. In fact the Dean of Westminster chose to contribute a memory for this day. In his entry the Dean of Westminster talks about officiating at the Royal Wedding.

The Dean talks about the wedding being ‘intimate’ despite the estimated 2.2 billion people that watched it, greeting Catherine at the Great West Door of the Abbey and how the wedding is a sign of hope. To view the Dean’s entry click here.

You too can submit your own memory by visiting www.jubileetimecapsule.org. You simply need to sign up, pick your date and tell your story.

Diamond Jubilee: The Jubilee Time Capsule from the Royal Commonwealth Society is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The retailer Journeys is running a Woman in Black themed sweepstakes offering a free trip to Britain as a prize. If you’re a Harry Potter or Daniel Radcliffe fan – then this is the contest for you! Act fast though, you have until February 10th to enter.

Here are the prize details:

Enter for a chance to win a trip for two to London, England, including:

- round-trip coach airfare for two (2) from winner’s nearest major airport
- double occupancy hotel accommodations for four (4) days and three (3) nights
- round trip airport transfers in London.

Entrants must be a legal resident of the contiguous 48 United States and the District of Columbia (U.S.), age 18 or older at time of entry. Void outside the U.S., in AK, HI, Puerto Rico.

You have to enter by February 10th – so act quickly!

Anglotopia Contest Disclaimer – PLEASE READ – before you email us and complain about the contest please understand that we are NOT running this contest NOR are we affiliated with it in anyway. We are merely providing the information that this contest exists.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENTER.

Anglophile Alert: Win a Woman in Black Themed Trip to Britain – Enter by February 10th! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Kay Jewelers is sponsoring a Valentine’s day themed giveaway for a free trip to London.

Here are the prize details:

Includes round trip coach air transportation to London, England. Five days and four nights accommodations at the four star K&K George Hotel with buffet breakfast. Round trip transportation betwen the airport and hotel. Two-day London travel pass card. $500 spending allowance awarded as a check.

The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry.

You have to like Kay Jewelers on Facebook to enter.

You have until February 14th, 2012 to enter so act quickly!

Anglotopia Contest Disclaimer – PLEASE READ – before you email us and complain about the contest please understand that we are NOT running this contest NOR are we affiliated with it in anyway. We are merely providing the information that this contest exists. Please do not complain to us that the contest is on Facebook.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENTER!

Anglophile Alert: Win a Trip to Britain from Kay Jewelers and Jane Seymour is a post from: Anglotopia.net

If you are going to travel around in Doctor Who’s Blue Phone Box, you should probably be prepared for just about anything, that would include packing some mittens with you incase you get cold. I know just the mitten’s to pack too, Paula’s Whovian Mittens!

Here is what Paula had to say about her mittens:

I enjoy knitting and British television, Doctor Who in particular. I had a lot of yarn left over after making a version of the Fourth Doctor’s scarf. I used some of it to make an earflap hat and these mittens.

When I asked Paula how she started knitting, she replied, “I’ve been knitting since I was a child.  My mother taught me.” I think it is clear to say that her mother did a wonderful job teaching Paula because these mittens are truly a work of art.

The idea for the mittens just popped into my head one day.  I thought it would be fun to have mittens striped in the same color as The Scarf.  I thought it would be even more fun to put some Whovian images in the stripes.  I put the fish on top to represent the fish from last year’s Christmas special.  A friend made her mittens with a question mark on top.  It’s a salute to the Sixth and Seventh Doctors.

I’m playing a game on the needlework site Ravelry called Nerd Wars. We join together in teams and knit and crochet things that relate to our team. I’ve done things ranging from a tiny knit K-9 to a hat for young Amelia Pond.

If you would like to make a pair for yourself, you can find the pattern here on Ravelry for free. However, you will need to join the site in order to download the free pattern. Ravelry is free to join.

Brit Knits: Whovian Mittens – Doctor Who Gloves is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The UK was hit by it’s first major snowfall this past weekend and that meant travel disruption and fun.

First up is a video report from Channel 4 News about the snow:

Next up we put up a call our for pictures of the snow and here’s what we were sent.

First are some pictures of Hertfordshire from our friends Jane and Simon who own Updown Cottage – our favorite place to stay in Shaftesbury, Dorset:

These are from Michael Hudson showing Before and after snow clearance:

And finally we have these pictures from Kaye Sedgwick in Rainham Kent. She asked that we link to here blog – check it out.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their pictures!

Britain Gets Its First Real Snow Fall of the Season – Video and Pictures Inside is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Londonist Out Loud a podcast for London news, views, and oddities from London, UK. Presented by N Quentin Woolf. (free on iTunes/www.londonist.com)

Welcome to the latest episode of Londonist Out Loud, a podcast about London.

News and Views
Londonist Out Loud is presented and produced by N Quentin Woolf. This week’s show comes from The Star cafe in Soho.

His guests this week are:

• Peter Berthoud, Westminster tour guide and blogger at Discovering London
• Jo Moncrieff, Westminster tour guide
• Julia Forte, proprietor of The Star, and owner of the London Peculiar website

The guests discuss recent London news and features including Crossrail developments, the noses of Soho, London’s worst Tube stations, police spending on the Speaking Clock, the ‘Boris Island’ Thames airport proposals, new libraries for London, trouble with the English Defence League, as well as far more London trivia than is probably good for you.

What’s On In London
NQW rounds up the best new exhibitions and shows opening over the coming week.

Remember, you can subscribe to Londonist Out Loud via iTunes or RSS.

Sponsored by Open Pen. Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us on hello@londonist.com for more details.

Londonist Out Loud: A Podcast For London, 23 January 2012 is a post from: Anglotopia.net

In recent press releases, Damian Green, the immigration minister, has announced that the UK Government is planning to give the current British immigration system a complete makeover to attract fewer but better qualified migrants to live and work in the UK. In particular, preferential treatment should be given to migrants who can contribute capital, skills and brain to the UK.

Thus, according to the minister, the UK needs to implement a more selective visa system arguing that “what we need is a system that… goes out to seek those people who are either going to create jobs or wealth or add to the high level artistic and cultural aspirations we have”. As a result, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) might reintroduce a form of UK visa category to select talented young professionals or individuals who have a track record in generating growth and business to boost the economic recovery. The government will also improve the system for some short-term business visitors and entertainers to ensure world-class performers are encouraged to come here. Of course, the sceptics amongst us, might argue that in light of the 2012 Olympic games, this could simply be a short–term fix to make the country more amenable to recognized artists, athletes and performers with the aim to raise the UK profile.

The government is also keen on reducing the number of immigrants by introducing tougher measures to remove illegal migrants and catch people breaking the rules. On the agenda, however, there are also new changes that might make it harder to sponsor spouses or partners of British citizens and person settled in the UK with the introduction of a salary threshold and higher level of English language. As a result, the government will soon be announcing further changes to the family migration and reforms to the UK settlement such as breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration and reviewing the annual limit on Tier 2/ work permit.

In his speech the Minister added that the ‘points based system’ of the past should ultimately be replaced by a ‘contribution-based system’ whereby migrants are checked to ensure they will add to quality of life in the UK. The Minister has also announced the introduction of a new route for international graduate entrepreneurs – international students who have engaged in innovative entrepreneurial activity during their studies and want to stay on afterwards to develop their business ideas.

UK Immigration: The Future of UK Migration – More Changes Coming Soon is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s 63rd monarch, has steered the monarchy through decades of social change while remaining a symbol of national stability in a shifting world.

This video from The Telegraph is a good overview of her life and times.

Video: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: 60 years in video is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Full Text:

“Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George VI, of blessed and glorious memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary:

We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the Realm, being assisted with these His late Majesty’s Privy Council, with representatives of other Members of the Commonwealth, with other Principal Gentlemen of Quality, with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of London, do now hereby with one Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim, That the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become Queen Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen of the Realm, and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom Her Lieges do acknowledge all Faith, and constant Obedience with hearty and humble Affection, beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Princess, Elizabeth II, with long and happy Years to reign over us.

God Save The Queen”

Video: Princess Elizabeth proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We found this audio recording of the BBC reporting that the King had died and that Britain now had a new Queen.

Very sad and moving.

Diamond Jubilee: The Moment She Became Queen is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Sixty photographs of Her Majesty The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades, will go on display at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen’s reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings. For centuries the formal painted portrait projected the public face of kings and queens. With the advent of photography, the boundaries between the officially approved and the spontaneously captured image of the monarch were irreversibly blurred. Today, through the reach of modern media, the image of The Queen is familiar to millions around the world.

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen – Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Saturday Night Live has taken on Downton Abbey by spoofing it as if it were a TV show on the American cable network Spike (a network known for it’s lowbrow male centered TV).

It’s hilarious!

Check it out below:

Downton Abbey: Saturday Night Live Takes on Downton Abbey is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Queen released a statement today to mark her accession to the throne on February 6th 1952. It’s reproduced below.

Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

I send my sincere good wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R.

Diamond Jubilee: The Queen’s Message to Mark Her Accession Day is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Princes William and Harry have been talking about their respect for their grandmother the Queen, as the nation gears up for the jubilee. Report by Louise Hulland.

Video: Princes William and Harry talk about the Queen for her Jubilee is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne have planted a tree in the new woods to commemorate the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee on the Sandringham Estate.

Diamond Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth II plants tree to mark Diamond Jubilee is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Immigration Rules were amended on 6 April 2011 to include a new tougher criminality threshold. The key difference is that as of this date any unspent conviction will lead to a mandatory refusal of a prospective application to be granted settlement in the UK under the working and the family route. The new threshold is a much stronger requirement that the “good character” found at paragraph 322 of the Rules which sets out the general ground of refusal.

Thus, to assess your eligibility for settlement, it’s important to have an good understanding of the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offender Act which stipulates when a conviction can be deemed “spent”. In particular, a conviction becomes ‘spent’ after a specified rehabilitation period. This time depends on two key variables:

(1) the sentence imposed and not the offence committed and
(2) the age of the offender at the time of conviction.

Section 5(2) of the Act sets out the rehabilitation periods, however it is important to remember that certain convictions will never be considered spent and as such an applicant might never qualify for settlement in the UK. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, the only option might be for the applicant to apply for an extension of his or her leave to remain.

For instance, under section 5(1) of the 1974 Act, a sentence for life imprisonment or as sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding 30 months will never be “spent”. In addition, the sentence in question can be passed, or an order made, by the courts of any country, including court martial for persons subject to military discipline. Therefore, convictions outside of the UK will be treated as if that conviction occurred in the UK.

Finally, when calculating the rehabilitation period, one must bear in mind that this runs from the date of conviction and not the date of completion of the sentence. Also, the rehabilitation period is based on the length of the sentence, not the time (if any) actually spent in prison. Further, suspended sentences have the same rehabilitation period as sentences served.

However, there is some good news in so far as the UK Border Agency will exercise leniency in cases of Fixed Penalty Notice and Cautions. Receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is not a criminal conviction and should therefore be disregarded. The exceptions to this will be where either there are criminal proceedings for failure to pay and the individual has an unspent conviction as a result of that or the individual has multiple FPNs, particularly over a short period of time, and should be considered in line with the general requirements of character, conduct and associations within paragraph 322(5) of the Rules.

Likewise, receiving a caution is not a criminal conviction and, despite conditional cautions carrying a short rehabilitation period, they are to be disregarded. However, a person who has multiple cautions, particularly over a short period of time, should be considered in line with the general requirements of character, conduct and associations within paragraph 322(5) of the Rules.

The only exception to the new criminality requirement are applicants who are seeking settlement through the protection route (refugees and people who have been granted humanitarian protection). Highly skilled migrants programme (HSMP) who are covered by the HSMP ILR JR policy might be also exempt.

Similarly applications made by European nationals and their family members will be considered under the grounds of public policy, public security and public health.

We would strongly recommend any prospective applicants for settlement in the UK to seek professional legal advice particularly in cases where they might have had minor criminal offences and due to the complexity of the Immigration Rules.

UK Immigration: Can Criminal Convictions Affect your Ability to Settle in Britain? is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Prince William has arrived in the Falkland Islands – Britain’s territory in the South Atlantic – for a 6 week deployment. The BBC put together a very interesting news segment on his posting and the diplomatic problems it’s causing.

The Duchess of Cambridge did not join him and stayed in Britain where she’s being kept company by their new puppy.

Royal Couple: Prince William Arrives in the Falkland Islands for 6-Week Deployment is a post from: Anglotopia.net

A British man has built his own rocket back in his back yard. Awesome.

Weird Britain: Brit Builds his Own Rocket Pack in his Back Yard is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Andrew’s Air Miles Still Accumulating

Despite giving up his role as a special trade envoy several months ago, Prince Andrew is still making trips abroad on business.

It should not be unusual for the Prince – who is the Duke of York and the second son of the Queen – to perform duties representing Her Majesty, but Andrew’s track record of late has been suspect.

The Duke previously held the position as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. His years as a representative for his nation and his regal mother seemed to be for naught when it was revealed that the Duke was consorting with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew’s business connections with dictators such as the late Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, among others, also brought a torrent of criticism down on the Duke’s head.

Although Andrew stepped down as a “special” representative, it seems he is continuing as a regular business envoy and has undertaken 17 engagements in Saudi Arabia and China for UK Trade and Investment.

Read More

—

Camilla Cooks for the Queen

Cook for The Queen is the Duchess of Cornwall’s special tribute to her sovereign and mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II.

In honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Duchess has organized the event with British Food Fortnight, inviting “all schools in the UK to create a special menu featuring recipes that celebrate the best of British to be served to The Queen and The Duchess of Cornwall at a reception at Buckingham Palace in June”. The contest is for children ages 10 – 15.

Republicans are a bit put out by all of this.

The anti-monarchy group, Republic, have warned the participating schools that they might be breaking the law by taking part in the contest.

Graham Smith, head honcho of Republic, gripes that involving the children in celebrations of the monarchy without giving equal time to republicanism is a breach of the Education Act.

—-

Celebrate the Jubilee with Mandy’s British Royalty

In a move that will undoubtedly annoy Graham Smith, American royalist Mandy Littlefield is aiming to take her fondness of the monarchy and bring it to people everywhere through her show, RoyaltyNow!.

To make it the best show ever, Mandy is holding a fundraiser in the hope of traveling to London to film footage of celebrations and interviews during the Jubilee blowout in June. With your kind donations – not to mention awesome prizes in return for your generosity – you can help make her project a reality.

For more information on the great prizes you will receive, click here.

Thank you to all who donate!

Royal Round Up 2-1-12: Camilla Cooks; Airmiles Andy; Celebrate the Jubilee and Win is a post from: Anglotopia.net