Cultural and social life in england

Cultural life in England takes so many forms that a brief summary can only attempt to suggest its variety. London alone has over 100 theatres, including some 50 in the West End, together with fringe and suburban theatres, about a dozen major centres for music concerts, ballet and opera, four major art galleries, a dozen major museums (with over 80 smaller galleries and museums), and over 140 West End, local and independent cinemas; other leisure facilities include discotheques, bingo halls, amusement arcades, ice and roller skating rinks, and sports or leisure centres. With its ceremonial occasions, palaces, other historic buildings and shops, London is also one of the world’s leading tourist centres. About 15 attractions (Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Madame Tussaud’s - an exhibition of waxworks of famous people, the London Zoo, Kew Gardens and the major museums and art galleries) each receive more than a million visitors a year.

Because of its size and its position as the capital city, London is not representative of the rest of England, but much the same a broad range of cultural interests is reflected in many other cities and towns. The Museum Association lists some 1,600 art galleries, museums and similar institutions in the rest of England. Social clubs and working men’s clubs, non-profit-making clubs which attract well-known entertainers, are found in most cities and towns. In addition, many rural or outdoor recreations are strongly supported and there is active interest in numerous games and sports, many of which were devised in Britain.

The English love of gardens and landscapes is associated with a tradition of sightseeing visits to the many country houses, gardens and unspoilt rural and coastal areas.

There are seven national parks, six forest parks, 34 designated areas of outstanding natural beauty, ten environmentally sensitive areas, about 197 country parks approved by the Countryside Commission, over 6,000 conservation areas, 800 km (500 miles) of designated heritage coastline and about 2,000 historic buildings and gardens listed by the English Tourist Board. Newer developments include the opening of safari and wildlife parks and of ‘theme’ parks devoted, for example, to maritime history, which offer a diversity of entertainments as well. Many regions and towns have associations with the great English writers and artists, such as William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Arnold Bennett, Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Thomas Hardy, Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable.

British customs and traditions on famil y and ma rria ge

GETTING ENGAGED

In Britain the custom of becoming engaged is still generally preserved, though many young people do not keep it. As a rule, an engagement is announced as soon as a girl has accepted a proposal of marriage. Tire girl’s parents should be the first to hear the news; in practice, however, it is often the couple's friends who are taken into confidence before either of the parents. If a man has not yet met his future in-laws he does so at the first opportunity, whereas his parents usually write them a friendly letter. Then the girl’s mother invites her daughter’s future in-laws to a meal or drinks.

When a girl accepts a proposal, the man generally gives her a ring in taken of the betrothal. It is worn on the third finger of the left hand before marriage and together with the wedding ring after it. Some people arrange an engagement party, and among the better-off people it is customary to put an engagement in die newspaper.

The period of engagement is usually short, three or four months.

WEDDINGS

THE FORMS OF MARRIAGE

In England and Wales there are four forms of marriage: by banns, by ordinary licence, by special licence and by a registar.

Marriage by Banns is the form most usually adopted. Banns must be called for three consecutive Sundays in the parish churches of both the future bride and the groom. The clergyman at the church where the marriage is to take place must be notified by letter of the couple’s intention to many, of their names and addresses and how long they have resided in their parishes.

If one of the parlies is a minor, a letter of consent must be obtained from both parents. Marriage by Ordinary Licence is a convenient alternative to the publications of banns. Application must be made by one party to the Faculty Office, where he will swear that he docs not know of anv obstacle to the marriage such as being legally married to another or consanguineous relationship, and that one of the parties has lived for at least fifteen days in the parish of tiie church where the marriage is to take place.

Marriage by Special Licence cost high and can be obtained only for special reasons such as suddenly being sent abroad. It is never granted easily. Application must be made in person. The marriage can take place at any time and in any place.

Marriage by a Registar can be celebrated, without any religious ceremony, at a registry office.

Marriage can take place letween S a.m. and 6 p.m. In Scotland people, over the age of sixteen do not require their parents’ consent to many. Marriage is performed by a minister of any religion after the banns have been called on two Sundays in the districts, where the couple have lived for at least 15 days. Weddings take place in churches or private houses.

Most girls still dream of a white wedding, with its solemn ceremony, bridesmaids and the rest.

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The rules are usually hard and fast and arc as follows:

The Brides Parents are responsible for the dress announcements, the bride’s dress, flowers in the church, the reception, cars taking the bride and her parents to the church and photographers’ fees.

The Bridegroom pays for the ring and the wedding licence, fees to the clergyman, the organ and choir. He pays for the flowers for his bride, a bouquets for the bridesmaids, buttonholes for the best man. He also pays for the car which will take him from the church to the reception.

The groom is expected to give a small present to each of the bridesmaids.

The bride’s father gives her away.

The number of the bridesmaids usually docs not exceed six. There may be child attendants too. The bride chooses the kind of dresses her maids will wear and she may supply the material.

The ushers’ duties are to stand inside the church and ask each guest “Bride or Groom?” They will place friends of the bride on the left of the aisle and friends of the groom on the right.