Tag: history

Remembrance and Identity: A British Expat’s Tale

I came to Mallorca back in 1990. Back then, I worked the summer seasons and went back home in the winter to look for work. My wife Rachael and I met at Pirates; she was Captain Scarlett and I was Captain Darling. We bought an apartment together in 1999, and once we had done that, we tended to stay here in the winters more and more. We got married in 2005 and moved to where we live now, and not long after that our first son, Jacob, was born. Three and a half years later our second son, Jude, arrived.

I class Mallorca as my home, but I have never once considered giving up my British passport and becoming a Spanish citizen. Having lived here for 35 years now, and my wife for slightly less, we could both apply for citizenship — but it’s not something we want to do. We have said to our sons that it’s entirely up to them what they decide.

My youngest, Jude — who you probably know is an aspiring footballer — said to me, “What if it comes to choosing England or Spain in football?” Now, firstly, he’ll be lucky to ever get into that position of course, but we can dream. If he ever did, I said it would be totally up to him. His choice right now is England.

He is also considering other avenues of work in case the football dream doesn’t materialise, which is something we have encouraged. Right now, he wants to go into the military or the fire service, and he would like to do that in the UK.

Working on the radio, I like to keep a keen eye on the news and particularly on things that are happening in the UK. I also listen intently to family and friends and what they have to say about the state of my country of birth. None of it right now seems to be positive.

A poll released only a few days ago from King’s College London reported that less than half of those polled (46%) felt proud of Britain, down from 56% in the past five years.

Remembrance Sunday was a couple of weeks ago — a day held annually on the second Sunday in November in the UK and other Commonwealth countries to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian service members in all wars and conflicts. It is a time for national reflection, observed with acts of remembrance such as wearing poppies, attending ceremonies, laying wreaths, and observing two minutes of silence.

My nephew William was part of the RAF band playing at the Cenotaph. I was saddened to hear Alec Penstone, aged 100, who fought in World War II and has attended several remembrance events and appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. When asked what his message was for Remembrance Sunday, he said:

“My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye those rows and rows of white stones, of all the hundreds of my friends who gave their lives. For what? The country of today? No, I’m sorry. The sacrifice wasn’t worth the result that it is now.”

Alec explained:

“What we fought for was our freedom, and even now, it’s a darn sight worse than what it was when we fought for it.”

Surely this can’t be right?

Dare I Mention The “C” Word?

Dare I mention the “C” word? Well, my friends, there are now 39 days until Christmas!

The grand switch on of the Christmas lights in our capital city of Palma will be on Saturday, November 23rd in the evening. Palma at Christmas is definitely worth a visit, whether you live here or you’re coming over for a short break. I’m not sure if we’re on top of many peoples lists to visit for a pre-Christmas visit, but we should be. Firstly of course we’re within 2 hours of most Uk airports and in fact most European ones too. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride into the centre of town from the airport, and there are loads of beautiful boutique hotels. Palma City centre is great for shopping and don’t forget we have three superb shopping malls on the outskirts. They are Porto Pi, Fan and Mallorca Shopping Outlets, all are worth a visit, have a good variety of shops and all three are different in their own way. What you will find in Palma now is a wide range of cafés, markets, bars and restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. There are also some amazing sights to be seen. Palma Cathedral, Bellver Castle and the marina are a few of the must-sees. You could also take in a La Liga game if you wish. Barcelona are in town in early December! 

There are also some beautiful Christmas markets in Plaza Espanya and Pueblo Espanyol. All in all, Palma at Christmas, I would thoroughly recommend you visit.

Previous Christmas Number 1s have been claimed by music icons, cartoon characters, punk-rock disruptors, TV talent show winners, and all-star charity records. Last year, WHAM! Finally secured the Official Christmas Number 1 with “Last Christmas”, 39 years after its release.

Without doubt, if you can write a good Christmas song or in some cases a not very good Christmas song, then it could well give you a good income for the rest of your life. The Performing Rights Society or PRS as it’s known don’t tend to divulge this information easily to protect their artists’ privacy. But it’s a well known fact that the following artists make substantial amounts per year from just one song. The top ten are listed below. 

  1. “Merry Xmas Everybody” by Slade, £1m 
  2. “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl £400,000
  3. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey £400,000 
  4. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby £328,000
  5. “Last Christmas” by Wham! £300,000
  6. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney £260,000
  7.  “Stop the Cavalry” by Jona Lewie £120,000
  8. “2000 Miles” by The Pretenders £102,000
  9. “Mistletoe and Wine” by Cliff Richard £100,000
  10. “Stay Another Day” by East 17 £97,000

In my opinion, no Christmas is complete until you get yourself a tree. Not a fake one for me, it has to be real. A few years ago, I met a guy called Quentin who was bringing Christmas trees over to Mallorca from a farm in Denmark. 

Their arborists (aka tree surgeons to you and I) have been growing and selling the highest quality, most sustainable and durable Nordmann fir Christmas Trees since the industry commenced in Denmark in the early 70s. Their philosophy has always been to produce quality over quantity, whereby the ethical treatment of the workers, the earth and the clients is always respected and maintained, these are the values which are essential to their organisation. For every 10 trees they cut, they replant 14. 

Delivery, stands and branches for decorations are available for an extra cost. 

For more information, please visit http://www.mallorcachristmastrees.com 

Mallorca Christmas Trees on Facebook and Instagram or call or what’s app 

658 342 941.

Quentin has also agreed to donate a tree to a local charity home, and I’m talking to Nick at Yachting Gives Back, who will decide where to donate it. 

I know it’s a little early, but let me be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

The National Anthem Debate

I’m a little bit late to the party, talking about whether the England football manager should sing the national anthem. For me, it’s a matter of choice and if I’m honest I don’t care if you belt it out or remain silent, I just want to see us win a trophy! 

If you didn’t know the current interim England manager is Lee Carsley, who was born in Birmingham, but by default he’s actually Irish and qualified for the Republic of Ireland through his grandmother, who was from Dunmanway, County Cork. He played 40,games for them in total between 1997 and 2008. So all this pile on about he should be singing our anthem or be fired is totally over the top and let’s face it, he’s not actually English. Was it questioned when Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson or Italian Fabio Cabello didn’t sing it whilst in charge of England? Probably not.

In times of triumph and trouble, on royal or state occasions and on the sporting pitch, these anthems lay bare the beating hearts of a nation, united in song. But If you really want to hear an anthem sung the best, then I suggest you go to an international rugby match. 

It made me think of compiling a top 10 of the World’s best anthems. I’ve gone for the most passionate ones, and in true chart style I’ll do it in reverse order. 

Spain: I have to include the country I have lived in for the past 34 years. Although interestingly, “La Marcha Real” is one of only 4 national anthems that doesn’t have any words.

Australia: What I like about their anthem is that from the first two lines, “Australians all, let us rejoice, for we are young and free.” It sounds upbeat and modern and continues on that theme all the way through.

New Zealand: Like Australia this a modern sounding anthem and what I like about it is, it is sung in both Māori and in English. Showing the heritage of the country. If you are at a New Zealand All Blacks rugby game, you’ll also be treated to their traditional “Haka” after the anthem. 

Ireland: They have two anthems, ‘Ireland’s Call’ and “Amhrán na bhFiann” (Soldier’s Song). Their decision to sing two different anthems is a result of the historic divisions in the nation. It is good to see though a united Ireland playing sport together. 

Scotland: It’s an unofficial anthem, but a powerful tune that commemorates the victory of the Scots after Robert the Bruce defeated England’s Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Normally at the rugby, a lone piper will play the first verse and the crowd are left to sing the second verse on their own.

England: Surely being English, our anthem should be my number one? Whilst I do find it uplifting, it’s a little slow for my liking. I think, like all the other home nations, England should have its own anthem. “Jerusalem” for instance, a hymn that we had at our wedding, would be perfect. 

Italy: You’d be hard pushed to find a more passionate anthem. The lyrics were written by Goffredo Mameli in September 1847, but it was not until 2017 that the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to confirm the “Canto degli Italiani” an official hymn of the Italian Republic.

USA: The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States.

To celebrate their victory over British forces during the War of 1812, U.S. soldiers raised a large American flag at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 14, 1814. When we took Pirates to Miami in 2006/7 one of the things we did was raise the American flag on the galleon at the end of the show, whilst playing the national anthem. It was always a great ending. I don’t think I’ve seen this anthem sung any better than when Whitney Houston did it in 1991 at the Super Bowl. 

France: “La Marseillaise” is bold, catchy and revolutionary in every sense of the word as it was created during the French Revolution. I think the French just shade the Italians in their passion for their anthem. 

Wales: “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” is my number one choice. Even as an Englishman, you can’t help but be moved by this anthem. Especially when it is sung at the national stadium and Wales are playing England at Rugby. The crowd along with the Welsh choir create an unbelievable sound that still makes my hairs stand on end. 

No matter which country they belong to, national anthems are all sung with fervent passion and patriotism. It’s your choice whether you sing them or not.

Please note, I have started a weekly podcast with my good friend Martin Makepeace. It is called “Talking Balearics”. I have been in Mallorca for 34 years and Martin in Ibiza for 33 years, so between us, we have a good knowledge of current affairs across the islands. You can listen on all the normal podcast platforms, and we welcome your input and feedback. 

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the island’s number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos. Subscribe to receive his blogs at http://www.dadtaximallorca.com

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi, or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com