Are any Anglophiles heading to Scotland this summer?  If so, lucky you!  Scotland will be abuzz with the Commonwealth Games! 

The Games, held every four years, run this summer from July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow.  Seventy commonwealth teams will participate in 17 sports, totaling 261 medal events.

(By the way, some are confused by the term "Commonwealth Nations," a term all Anglophiles should know.  The Commonwealth of Nations, also called "the Commonwealth" or the "British Commonwealth" is an association of nations that  voluntarily work together, promoting peace, democracy, and free trade.  Currently, the Commonwealth consists of 53 nations, most of which are former British colonies.)

The first Commonwealth Games, held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, featured 11 countries participating in 6 sports and 59 events--so the Games have enjoyed great growth!  Since the first Games in 1930, they've been held every four years except during WWII.  

2014 EVENTS

The rental agency SYKES COTTAGES has created a great infographic about the Games.  Here 'tis:

VIDEO: A moving story about one of this years baton-bearers for the games.

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ROYAL ASCOT…Britain’s premier social event of the summer has begun!  The Queen herself has reportedly called this 5-day racing event her favorite—and I adore it too.  The spectacle offers treats for horse-racing fans, fashionistas, and Royal watchers.  A true cornucopia of Anglophile delights!

The “Royal Ascot” refers to the racing event that takes place at Ascot Racecourse, always during the third week of June.  The event this year runs from Tuesday, June 17, to Saturday, June 21.  Races at Ascot at other times are not the Royal Ascot.  While horse racing at Royal Ascot is important, it’s not necessarily the biggest event there.  The Royal family’s attendance, the fashions worn by attendees (strictly enforced by dress codes), and the event’s pomp and pageantry all share center stage with horse racing.    

The Ascot track is closely associated with the Royal family.  It’s located in Ascot, Berkshire, about six miles from the family’s Windsor Castle, and was founded by Queen Anne, three centuries ago.  She was a horse lover, and one day, while riding her horse in an open heath on the castle grounds, it occurred to her how perfect that area was for unrestrained horse galloping, and the idea of horses racing hit her.  She arranged the first Ascot meet on Saturday, August 11, 1711.  Seven horses—English Hunters—entered, but sadly, no record of the winner exists!  Eventually an official racetrack was built, and today, the Royal Ascot is one of the world’s premier horse races, with the “Queen Anne’s Stake” a highlight of that event.  This year, organizers expect some 300,000 people to attend, and they will award over ₤4.5 million of prize money to winners.

The pageantry at Royal Ascot is highly structured and has changed little over the years.  As Anglophiles know, the British are keen on tradition, and Royal Ascot epitomizes their adherence to it.  Each day of the event, at 2 p.m., a Royal Procession, with horse-drawn carriages carrying members of the Royal family, enters the track’s Golden Gates, winds along the racecourse, then enters the Parade Ring.  What a treat for Royal watchers!  TV cameras can’t focus on them enough!  The first race begins promptly at 2:30, and five more races follow, with the last running at 5:35 p.m.  For rousing good fun after the races, attendees are invited to sing traditional songs around the bandstand. 

TICKET PRICES, SEATING, AND DRESS CODES

The track offers three seating areas for the Royal Ascot:

1. The most prestigious and costly seating is in the ROYAL ENCLOSURE.  If you buy seating here, you hang out with the jet set and may get to rub shoulders with the Royal family.  You’re also a member of Ascot, which is no mean feat--for you must be nominated.  You can actually acquire seating in the Royal Enclosure without being an Ascot member if you spring for a seat with a “hospitality package” at the tune of ₤430 to ₤940.  (Keeps out the riffraff, right?)  Security is tight.  And ticket holders have their own dining facilities and lounges, which are different from the ones that ticket holders outside the Royal Enclosure use. 

Dress codes in the Royal Enclosure are strictly enforced, with females required to wear formal dresses and a hat, and males required to wear full morning dress.  


Ladies clothing, specifically, must conform to the following:

• Dresses or skirts of modest length, falling just above the knee or longer
  
• Dresses or tops with straps of 1 inch or greater
  
• Pants suits; the pants should be full length and the colors of top and bottom matching
  
• Hats or a headpiece with at least a 4-inch base (i.e., no more fascinators—as have previously been allowed!)
  

Men must wear black or gray morning dress that includes these garments:

• A waistcoat and tie (no cravats)
  
• A black or gray top hat
  
• Black shoes
  

Children, aged 10 – 16, have dress rules too, of course:

• Girls must wear smart dresses, but a hat is optional
  

• Boys should dress in either the same type morning dress as adult men or in a dark suit with shirt and tie—hat optional

Interestingly, Overseas visitors are allowed to wear formal the “national dress” attire of their home country  (I’m unsure whether this would be a raw-hide, American-Indian type garment for US citizens. . . . ) and military personnel, currently serving, may wear their dress uniform.



2. GRAND STAND and PADDOCK (or “General Admission”) seating offers mid-priced tickets, ranging from ₤60 to ₤71.  Here, the dress code remains formal, but less so.  Men can skirt by with wearing a jacket or a suit and tie (rather than full morning dress), while women must wear a summer dress or suit, and a hat or fascinator.  (And no bare midriffs or sleeveless shirts!)  Ticket holders have plenty of dining facilities and amenities, but they won’t be hobnobbing with royalty.



3. Very far down the rung is SILVER RING seating, with tickets ranging from ₤20 to ₤30.  This seating area permits an even more relaxed dress code.  Basically, anything goes.  The track encourages attendees in the Silver Ring to dress “smartly,” but the request is not enforced.  And visibility of the track is not always the best.   



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RACE

On Tuesday, the first day of the race, the “Queen Anne’s Stake” features the top horses in the world.  Thursday’s Gold Cup features an incredible race that tests stamina with a run of over two miles!  Thursday is also “Ladies’ Day," with a fashion show featuring topnotch clothing designers and milliners.  And Saturday, the last day of the race, features one of the world most important international races—the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.  (Previously, this event was called the “Golden Jubilee Stakes,” but organizers renamed it in 2012 as a nod to the Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee.)  This race is the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge--a contest consisting of six sprint races ran on tracks in Australia, England, and Japan.

VIDEO: THE "GRANDSTAND" EXPERIENCE

VIDEO: THE "SILVER RING" EXPERIENCE

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It's summer and time for the GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL!  If you're an Anglophile on this side of the pond who's unfamiliar with this event, think of it as Britain's version of Woodstock.  Five days of entertainment featuring some of the top names in contemporary music as well as up-and-coming musicians, dance, theater, cabaret, circus, and comedy.  The event also boasts being the world's largest greenfield festival, with attendance now at 175,000!  If you're lucky enough to have a ticket (the event has now sold out), below is the information and advice you'll need.  

(By the way, there's no parking near the festival.  The easiest way to travel there is to take the train to Castle Cary and then jump aboard one of the special shuttle buses to the festival grounds.  First Great Western, the train company serving Castle Cary, has partnered with the Festival and makes the journey a snap for concert-goers.)  Enjoy!

FESTIVAL DATES: Wed. 6/25/14 - Mon. 6/30/14.
Tickets: £210 ($357 USD)


PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY TO GLASTONBURY

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL WEBSITE

Read The Guaridan's article about Glastonbury Festival's history

  

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Tired of your plain, old name?  Then check out Jeff Herbert's Pompous British Name Generator and get a new one!  Demand family, friends, and colleagues use your new aristocratic name and witness the looks of admiration on their faces when they use it!  (<--- Just kidding.)

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Check out "Travel Eye: Beautiful Places to Visit in Britain" 
in HuffPost!      

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