There is an interesting phrase I heard, that Britain colonised itself before the rest of the world. How can a country colonise itself? Well Britain was an island of many cultures, many nations, before the United Kingdom was created and a uniform British culture imposed on everyone here. Regional variations were extinguished, while amateur folklorists attempted to record the dying traces. What a huge sacrifice for the sake of homogenisation. To this day, we feel that one part of Britain is ruling over the rest, sucking up all of the wealth, leaving the rest of us impoverished. This is the same process of colonisation which was then inflicted upon other countries captured by the British Empire. I would say that London and the surrounding South East area is the "Imperial Core" of an Empire which still exists, although in a neo-colonial form.  Poka Laenui suggests five stages of decolonisation: Rediscovery and recovery Mourning Dreaming Commitment, and Action

I was looking at all the fantastic May Day celebrations across the country and thinking how much it benefits people to have free events for the whole community to enjoy. A friend of mine was telling me that back in her youth, there were Maypoles all along Weymouth Esplanade, and every school in town turned out a group of kids to dance around them. I think today’s kids should be taught these fun traditions, and get away from their social media to take part in physical activities like dancing and making music.  The South West of England, with its rich history of music, dance, storytelling, and seasonal customs, has seen a notable revival in folk culture in recent years. From Cornwall’s vibrant traditions to Dorset’s mummers’ plays and Somerset’s wassailing ceremonies, communities are rediscovering and reinvigorating their cultural heritage. This resurgence brings both opportunities and challenges, as enthusiasts work to keep traditions alive while adapting them for contemporary audie...

What is a culture? It's basically a bunch of customs and traditions which "belong" to a certain group of people, or to which a group of people belong. The sense of belonging is socially constructed. Do you fit in with the group, do you blend into the crowd?  I grew up in Bournemouth, for the most part. I understand the way of the Bournemouth people, the way they speak, the way they dress, the way they live. I could identify with the wider area of Dorset, which is known for certain "folk" traditions. The thing is, I find it difficult to identify as a West Country girl because I know that my family is not originally from this area. We moved here when I was 10. We don't have any pre-existing ties to the area. So, are we really Dorset people?  After 20 years of living here, I guess we have become Dorset folk. My mother feels the same way about Britain, after moving here from Sweden over 30 years ago. She says she's British now, she's not really S...