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Manners
Transcript
In the next few minutes we’re going to be talking about modern manners. It’s an argument that, on the face of it, has been going on between the generations, for hundreds of generations. Older people can often be heard saying the youth of today lack the basics in good behaviour and with newspapers and the media focusing on the anti-social activities of a minority of young people, it’s easy for them to be branded with a negative stereotype. So are British manners really getting worse? Our reporter Mark went to find out.
-----
Well, I’ve come to a typical UK high street on a weekday to talk to the young mums and dads, business people, elderly people and students that are out doing their shopping. So we should get an interesting mix of views. Let’s go see what people think.
-Excuse me, sir, would you say that manners are getting better or worse in the UK?
"I actually think they’re getting worse. I think that the standards are declining generally. "
"I think they are getting worse but not terribly so."
"Generally in buses and trains I think that people’s manners have improved in many ways."
"There are cultural differences, so you might meet someone from a different culture and your set of manners will quite be different to theirs."
-----
Well, is it all a question of individual taste or is there some common ground? With me here is Simon Fanshawe, author of a book called ‘The Done Thing’, all about modern British manners.
-Simon, what are the basic dos and don’ts?
-I think one of the things that’s confusing for people is when they come here is there appear to be hundreds and hundreds of rules, hundreds of things you should and shouldn’t do. And the truth of it is that most of them are about class. And lots of them are trip-wires actually for people who don’t know them.
So what I tried to do in my book was take it back to some sort of first principle and say look – there are anthropological reasons why we have certain kinds of manners. So I’ll give you a very good example, in Britain there are sort of two ways of holding a knife, very broadly. And broadly speaking the middle-classes hold it with the index finger on the top, gripped in the hand. And working-class people hold it like a pen. Entirely a class distinction and people mercilessly exploit it if they want to. The truth of it is, the one way not to hold a knife at the table, is clasped in your fist, raised as if to kill your guest. And what does that tell us about eating? Well, what it tells us about eating is two things: it's never confuse your guests with either the food or the enemy. Don’t eat them and don’t kill them!That’s about how you should hold your knife, because actually manners are really about the reduction of violence. There’s a lot in there about reducing violence. So that’s just an illustration of what one tries to do so actually when you look at real table manners they’re about people feeling comfortable with each other, sharing food around a table. Very important human thing.
-And are things actually getting worse?
-Very broadly speaking, we all rub along together pretty well, actually, we don’t do so badly. The trouble with bad manners is that when you experience it, it completely occupies your field of vision. So you feel completely knocked back and rather hurt by somebody.
-Should foreigners, say, comply with British manners when in Britain or should they just be themselves?
-Well I think, one, they should be very gentle with us because we’re not terribly good at understanding that there are lots of different customs from round the world, so you know, be gentle. But I think the thing what I would say to anybody going to any other culture, any other country in the world: Number one – be curious, ask yourself. The other thing is don’t think there’s a right and a wrong way to do things in terms of little funny details. Always remember that fundamentals matter more than anything else. ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ is a gift and a grace in any language so treat people in the fundamental purpose of manners which is to make life easier. If I can give you a definition of manners, it is it the reduction of actual or potential violence between strangers. So always seek to defuse conflict, always seek to reach out and offer yourself to other people, always seek to open the door and let them through. Do those kind of things because actually you’ll find people love it and they’ll respond to you.
-Simon Fanshawe, it would be very bad manners of me not to say, ‘thank you’ for coming to talk to us.
-----
Our reporter Mark, minding his p’s and q’s there. And that’s it for this time.
In the next few minutes we’re going to be talking about modern manners. It’s an argument that, on the face of it, has been going on between the generations, for hundreds of generations. Older people can often be heard saying the youth of today lack the basics in good behaviour and with newspapers and the media focusing on the anti-social activities of a minority of young people, it’s easy for them to be branded with a negative stereotype. So are British manners really getting worse? Our reporter Mark went to find out.
-----
Well, I’ve come to a typical UK high street on a weekday to talk to the young mums and dads, business people, elderly people and students that are out doing their shopping. So we should get an interesting mix of views. Let’s go see what people think.
-Excuse me, sir, would you say that manners are getting better or worse in the UK?
"I actually think they’re getting worse. I think that the standards are declining generally. "
"I think they are getting worse but not terribly so."
"Generally in buses and trains I think that people’s manners have improved in many ways."
"There are cultural differences, so you might meet someone from a different culture and your set of manners will quite be different to theirs."
-----
Well, is it all a question of individual taste or is there some common ground? With me here is Simon Fanshawe, author of a book called ‘The Done Thing’, all about modern British manners.
-Simon, what are the basic dos and don’ts?
-I think one of the things that’s confusing for people is when they come here is there appear to be hundreds and hundreds of rules, hundreds of things you should and shouldn’t do. And the truth of it is that most of them are about class. And lots of them are trip-wires actually for people who don’t know them.
So what I tried to do in my book was take it back to some sort of first principle and say look – there are anthropological reasons why we have certain kinds of manners. So I’ll give you a very good example, in Britain there are sort of two ways of holding a knife, very broadly. And broadly speaking the middle-classes hold it with the index finger on the top, gripped in the hand. And working-class people hold it like a pen. Entirely a class distinction and people mercilessly exploit it if they want to. The truth of it is, the one way not to hold a knife at the table, is clasped in your fist, raised as if to kill your guest. And what does that tell us about eating? Well, what it tells us about eating is two things: it's never confuse your guests with either the food or the enemy. Don’t eat them and don’t kill them!That’s about how you should hold your knife, because actually manners are really about the reduction of violence. There’s a lot in there about reducing violence. So that’s just an illustration of what one tries to do so actually when you look at real table manners they’re about people feeling comfortable with each other, sharing food around a table. Very important human thing.
-And are things actually getting worse?
-Very broadly speaking, we all rub along together pretty well, actually, we don’t do so badly. The trouble with bad manners is that when you experience it, it completely occupies your field of vision. So you feel completely knocked back and rather hurt by somebody.
-Should foreigners, say, comply with British manners when in Britain or should they just be themselves?
-Well I think, one, they should be very gentle with us because we’re not terribly good at understanding that there are lots of different customs from round the world, so you know, be gentle. But I think the thing what I would say to anybody going to any other culture, any other country in the world: Number one – be curious, ask yourself. The other thing is don’t think there’s a right and a wrong way to do things in terms of little funny details. Always remember that fundamentals matter more than anything else. ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ is a gift and a grace in any language so treat people in the fundamental purpose of manners which is to make life easier. If I can give you a definition of manners, it is it the reduction of actual or potential violence between strangers. So always seek to defuse conflict, always seek to reach out and offer yourself to other people, always seek to open the door and let them through. Do those kind of things because actually you’ll find people love it and they’ll respond to you.
-Simon Fanshawe, it would be very bad manners of me not to say, ‘thank you’ for coming to talk to us.
-----
Our reporter Mark, minding his p’s and q’s there. And that’s it for this time.
Population and Demographics
Transcript
Population And Demographics
The reigning monarch is Queen Elizabeth II whose main residence is in Buckingham Palace in London. Although titled as a kingdom, the UK is in fact a democracy with its seat of Government situated in the capital city London at the Houses of Parliament.
The Government is divided into two levels known as houses – the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The head of the Government is the Prime Minister who leads the House of Commons and it’s in this House where locally elected representatives, known as Members of Parliament, sit and debate issues of national concern and agree national laws. In addition to the national government, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate parliamentary bodies to deal with some local matters such as health and education.
The UK is divided into administrative units (often referred to as local government or local authorities) where local issues are addressed by local councils. The community is represented on these authorities by locally elected Councillors. Details of your local Councillor can be obtained from your local authority. All of these authorities need to raise income for the provision of services such as waste collection and road maintenance. This is done through local ‘council tax’.
Over the centuries Britain has welcomed people from all over the world both as residents and as tourists. Having embraced people of different ethnic origin and religion it’s now seen as a genuinely multi-cultural country with a population in excess of 60 million.
Having said that, 92% of the population is white and the predominant religion is Christian, but Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and others are all practised in various parts of the Country.
The Queen, her links to British law and her role as head of the Church of England demonstrates the link between Christianity and the State.
Population And Demographics
The reigning monarch is Queen Elizabeth II whose main residence is in Buckingham Palace in London. Although titled as a kingdom, the UK is in fact a democracy with its seat of Government situated in the capital city London at the Houses of Parliament.
The Government is divided into two levels known as houses – the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The head of the Government is the Prime Minister who leads the House of Commons and it’s in this House where locally elected representatives, known as Members of Parliament, sit and debate issues of national concern and agree national laws. In addition to the national government, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate parliamentary bodies to deal with some local matters such as health and education.
The UK is divided into administrative units (often referred to as local government or local authorities) where local issues are addressed by local councils. The community is represented on these authorities by locally elected Councillors. Details of your local Councillor can be obtained from your local authority. All of these authorities need to raise income for the provision of services such as waste collection and road maintenance. This is done through local ‘council tax’.
Over the centuries Britain has welcomed people from all over the world both as residents and as tourists. Having embraced people of different ethnic origin and religion it’s now seen as a genuinely multi-cultural country with a population in excess of 60 million.
Having said that, 92% of the population is white and the predominant religion is Christian, but Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and others are all practised in various parts of the Country.
The Queen, her links to British law and her role as head of the Church of England demonstrates the link between Christianity and the State.
Leisure
Transcript
Leisure Activities
Most of Britain’s population enjoys sport and leisure activities in one way or another, and whether as a participant or a spectator there are a whole host of activities to enjoy.
In recent years the encouragement toward a more healthy lifestyle has led to more people taking up physical activity, whether to get fit or to keep fit. These activities can be found indoors at leisure, sporting and recreation centres and outdoors, at the many free publicly available playing fields and also at clubs and associations which are open to members or paying visitors. In any event there are plenty to choose from whatever your level of physical fitness.
As with most countries many of the leisure activities in the UK are much more sedate. Whether as an individual or a team, a child, adult or family, most towns and cities have something for everyone.
Leisure Activities
Most of Britain’s population enjoys sport and leisure activities in one way or another, and whether as a participant or a spectator there are a whole host of activities to enjoy.
In recent years the encouragement toward a more healthy lifestyle has led to more people taking up physical activity, whether to get fit or to keep fit. These activities can be found indoors at leisure, sporting and recreation centres and outdoors, at the many free publicly available playing fields and also at clubs and associations which are open to members or paying visitors. In any event there are plenty to choose from whatever your level of physical fitness.
As with most countries many of the leisure activities in the UK are much more sedate. Whether as an individual or a team, a child, adult or family, most towns and cities have something for everyone.
Banking
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/uk-culture/banking
If you are resident you will find it useful to open a bank account. All the large banks and most building societies have a network of branches across the country and all offer similar services.
A visit to any one of them will be a friendly experience, although to open an account, be prepared to prove your identity in a number of ways. You will find your passport useful, but the bank will also want to see some form of proof that you are living where you say you are. This can be proved by a housing rent book, a Council Tax, water or electricity bill for the property, as long as it’s in your name. In the bank, and elsewhere, you may hear the term ‘utility bill’ – this simply refers to bills relating to the provision of services to your property such as electricity, gas, water and telephone.
There are other local facilities such as credit unions where you can save your money and have access to affordable low cost loans. Where they exist in your local area, contact details can be obtained from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
If you are resident you will find it useful to open a bank account. All the large banks and most building societies have a network of branches across the country and all offer similar services.
A visit to any one of them will be a friendly experience, although to open an account, be prepared to prove your identity in a number of ways. You will find your passport useful, but the bank will also want to see some form of proof that you are living where you say you are. This can be proved by a housing rent book, a Council Tax, water or electricity bill for the property, as long as it’s in your name. In the bank, and elsewhere, you may hear the term ‘utility bill’ – this simply refers to bills relating to the provision of services to your property such as electricity, gas, water and telephone.
There are other local facilities such as credit unions where you can save your money and have access to affordable low cost loans. Where they exist in your local area, contact details can be obtained from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Pedestrians
Transcript
Pedestrian Safety
In any new country, the roads can be dangerous for pedestrians … so …
Even for those not driving it is important to be aware that traffic may be approaching from unexpected directions.
Although, apart from motorways, it’s not illegal to cross the road at any point it is advisable to use crossings, some of them controlled by traffic lights, whenever you can.You may cross the road when the green man is showing but, if the light is flashing, don’t start to cross.
There are crossing points known as Zebra crossings which have black and white road markings and orange flashing beacons at each side of the road. Drivers should give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but you should be careful as there are no red traffic lights instructing drivers to stop.
Don’t forget, pedestrians are not allowed to walk along or cross any motorway at any time.
Pedestrian Safety
In any new country, the roads can be dangerous for pedestrians … so …
Even for those not driving it is important to be aware that traffic may be approaching from unexpected directions.
Although, apart from motorways, it’s not illegal to cross the road at any point it is advisable to use crossings, some of them controlled by traffic lights, whenever you can.You may cross the road when the green man is showing but, if the light is flashing, don’t start to cross.
There are crossing points known as Zebra crossings which have black and white road markings and orange flashing beacons at each side of the road. Drivers should give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but you should be careful as there are no red traffic lights instructing drivers to stop.
Don’t forget, pedestrians are not allowed to walk along or cross any motorway at any time.
Climate and Geography
Transcript
Geography and Climate
So, what is the United Kingdom?
To give it its full title it’s ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. You might hear it referred to as Britain, Great Britain or more often, simply as ‘The UK’.
Four countries make up the UK – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It consists of a group of islands - 2 large ones and several hundred smaller ones. By far the largest island is that which is divided into three countries - England, Wales and Scotland. This island is about 700 miles long and is 300 miles at its widest point. At its nearest point only the 22 miles of the English Channel separate it from the coast of France.
England’s capital London is also the capital city of the UK. Most of England consists of lowland with some mountainous terrain northwest of a line drawn between the Humber estuary in the East and the river Exe in the Southwest.
Wales, with its capital Cardiff, lies to the West having a coastline adjacent to the Irish Sea. It is more mountainous than England, particularly in North and Mid Wales.
To the North is Scotland which consists of two very distinct regions known as the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Highlands region is to the North and West of the country and is much more mountainous than its lowland sister. The rugged terrain of the highlands ensures the region is sparsely populated.
The Lowlands region is home to most of Scotland’s population. It’s here where Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh and the larger city of Glasgow will be found.
Crossing the Irish Sea takes us to Ireland of which only the north eastern corner (Northern Ireland) is part of the UK. The rest of this island is a separate country, the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland, with its capital, Belfast, is a hilly region boasting the largest inland body of water in the UK, Lough Neagh, at 150 square miles.
The prevailing winds tend to come from the southwest, bringing with them frequent spells of mild but wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean. Overall though the climate is fairly temperate and similar to much of northern Europe.
Geography and Climate
So, what is the United Kingdom?
To give it its full title it’s ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. You might hear it referred to as Britain, Great Britain or more often, simply as ‘The UK’.
Four countries make up the UK – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It consists of a group of islands - 2 large ones and several hundred smaller ones. By far the largest island is that which is divided into three countries - England, Wales and Scotland. This island is about 700 miles long and is 300 miles at its widest point. At its nearest point only the 22 miles of the English Channel separate it from the coast of France.
England’s capital London is also the capital city of the UK. Most of England consists of lowland with some mountainous terrain northwest of a line drawn between the Humber estuary in the East and the river Exe in the Southwest.
Wales, with its capital Cardiff, lies to the West having a coastline adjacent to the Irish Sea. It is more mountainous than England, particularly in North and Mid Wales.
To the North is Scotland which consists of two very distinct regions known as the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Highlands region is to the North and West of the country and is much more mountainous than its lowland sister. The rugged terrain of the highlands ensures the region is sparsely populated.
The Lowlands region is home to most of Scotland’s population. It’s here where Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh and the larger city of Glasgow will be found.
Crossing the Irish Sea takes us to Ireland of which only the north eastern corner (Northern Ireland) is part of the UK. The rest of this island is a separate country, the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland, with its capital, Belfast, is a hilly region boasting the largest inland body of water in the UK, Lough Neagh, at 150 square miles.
The prevailing winds tend to come from the southwest, bringing with them frequent spells of mild but wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean. Overall though the climate is fairly temperate and similar to much of northern Europe.
Currency
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/uk-culture/currency
Transcript
Currency
Although the UK is in the European Union, it has taken the decision at the moment not to adopt the Euro as its currency. Instead it retains pound sterling.
A pound consists of 100 pence. The word ‘pence’ being very often shortened to the letter ‘p’ in both the written and in conversational form.
The following coins are in regular circulation:
1p
2p
5p
10p
20p
50p
£1
£2
The following notes are also used:
£5
£10
£20
£50
These notes are usually issued in the name of the Bank of England and the notes and coins are accepted throughout the UK. You may occasionally find some bank notes bearing the names of Banks in Scotland or Northern Ireland, like the Scottish notes shown here. These are still legal tender throughout the UK but some traders, because they are not familiar with them, may be reluctant to accept them outside of the country in which they were issued. If you do have any difficulties though, any Bank will replace them without charge.
Although the UK is in the European Union, it has taken the decision at the moment not to adopt the Euro as its currency. Instead it retains pound sterling.
A pound consists of 100 pence. The word ‘pence’ being very often shortened to the letter ‘p’ in both the written and in conversational form.
The following coins are in regular circulation:
1p
2p
5p
10p
20p
50p
£1
£2
The following notes are also used:
£5
£10
£20
£50
These notes are usually issued in the name of the Bank of England and the notes and coins are accepted throughout the UK. You may occasionally find some bank notes bearing the names of Banks in Scotland or Northern Ireland, like the Scottish notes shown here. These are still legal tender throughout the UK but some traders, because they are not familiar with them, may be reluctant to accept them outside of the country in which they were issued. If you do have any difficulties though, any Bank will replace them without charge.
How to understand the differences between British and American English
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/how/how-understand-differences-between-british-and-american-english
Transcript
Man: Hey! Nice pants!
Woman: Excuse me?
Man: I said nice pants.
Woman: You can’t see my pants, can you?
Man: Of course I can.
Woman: How can you see my pants?
Man: They’re on your legs!
Woman: Ha. You haven’t been to America recently, have you?
Man: Oh I er …I er actually just got back from LA! That’s “Los Angeles” by the way....
Woman: I know.
Man: Yeah, I picked up some of the American words, and now I forget which ones to use! So confusing!
Woman: We call these “trousers” in Britain.
Man: Of course we do...you know there are so many things …that’s it’s exactly a completely different language sometimes!
Woman: Really?
Man: Yeah!
Woman: Would you like a crisp?
Man: Crisps? In the States, they’re “chips”!
Woman: Oh. So if I want to order our chips in America, what do I ask for?
Man: French fries!
Woman: I see.
Man: And you know what that is, don’t you?
Woman: A fizzy drink.
Man: That’s a “soda”!
Woman: Hmm…
Man: You know the lift over there?
Woman: Yeah?
Man: That’s an elevator.
Woman: Oh really?
Man: You know in the States, you don’t go to watch a film...
Woman: You “watch a movie”!
Man: Exactly! And you don’t walk on the pavement…
Woman: You walk on the “sidewalk”!
Man: You got it!
Woman: I’ve watched a lot of films...oops...movies!
Transcript
Man: Hey! Nice pants!
Woman: Excuse me?
Man: I said nice pants.
Woman: You can’t see my pants, can you?
Man: Of course I can.
Woman: How can you see my pants?
Man: They’re on your legs!
Woman: Ha. You haven’t been to America recently, have you?
Man: Oh I er …I er actually just got back from LA! That’s “Los Angeles” by the way....
Woman: I know.
Man: Yeah, I picked up some of the American words, and now I forget which ones to use! So confusing!
Woman: We call these “trousers” in Britain.
Man: Of course we do...you know there are so many things …that’s it’s exactly a completely different language sometimes!
Woman: Really?
Man: Yeah!
Woman: Would you like a crisp?
Man: Crisps? In the States, they’re “chips”!
Woman: Oh. So if I want to order our chips in America, what do I ask for?
Man: French fries!
Woman: I see.
Man: And you know what that is, don’t you?
Woman: A fizzy drink.
Man: That’s a “soda”!
Woman: Hmm…
Man: You know the lift over there?
Woman: Yeah?
Man: That’s an elevator.
Woman: Oh really?
Man: You know in the States, you don’t go to watch a film...
Woman: You “watch a movie”!
Man: Exactly! And you don’t walk on the pavement…
Woman: You walk on the “sidewalk”!
Man: You got it!
Woman: I’ve watched a lot of films...oops...movies!
How to understand the difference between the UK and Great Britain
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/how/how-understand-difference-between-uk-and-great-britain
Transcript
Man: So where are you from?
Woman: Scotland. Are you Scottish too?
Man: Well no, I’m English actually, but… you know… it’s all like the same thing, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Go on! Isn’t Scotland just like well, a bit of England?
Woman: No, it is not!
Man: Sorry, Britain I mean.
Woman: “Britain” is not “England”!
Man: Well yeah… I know that, I’m not stupid or anything… but Britain’s like, England, Scotland and Wales, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Yeah, it is; the UK, the United Kingdom.
Woman: The United Kingdom is “Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.
Man: Oh I see, but we’re all like the same nation, aren’t we?
Woman: Not really. Four nations, one state.
Man: Oh, I get it! So the UK (is) like the same as Great Britain...
Woman: Great Britain is a geographical term – it’s a big island with Scotland, England, and Wales on it.
Man: All right, but we all have the same prime minister, don’t we?
Woman: Yes, and the same head of state.
Man: The Queen!
Woman: Exactly.
Man: And the same government?
Woman: Well, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own local parliaments.
Man: Oh. I see.
Woman: It’s complicated.
Man: Yeah, I can see that.
Transcript
Man: So where are you from?
Woman: Scotland. Are you Scottish too?
Man: Well no, I’m English actually, but… you know… it’s all like the same thing, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Go on! Isn’t Scotland just like well, a bit of England?
Woman: No, it is not!
Man: Sorry, Britain I mean.
Woman: “Britain” is not “England”!
Man: Well yeah… I know that, I’m not stupid or anything… but Britain’s like, England, Scotland and Wales, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Yeah, it is; the UK, the United Kingdom.
Woman: The United Kingdom is “Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.
Man: Oh I see, but we’re all like the same nation, aren’t we?
Woman: Not really. Four nations, one state.
Man: Oh, I get it! So the UK (is) like the same as Great Britain...
Woman: Great Britain is a geographical term – it’s a big island with Scotland, England, and Wales on it.
Man: All right, but we all have the same prime minister, don’t we?
Woman: Yes, and the same head of state.
Man: The Queen!
Woman: Exactly.
Man: And the same government?
Woman: Well, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own local parliaments.
Man: Oh. I see.
Woman: It’s complicated.
Man: Yeah, I can see that.
Countryside is Great - Part 2
Transcript
Next we’re heading north.
I’ve come to Cairngorm National Park in Scotland, home to 5 out of 6 of the tallest mountains in Britain, and what’s more, I'm going to get to the top of that mountain without losing my breath!
If you don’t fancy the hour and a half walk to the top, like me, you can ride the Cairngorm Mountain Railway.
Richard: Hiya. One ticket for the funicular, please.
The journey is 2km long, which makes this the highest railway journey in Great Britain. The train takes us to the top of the mountain – nearly 2000 metres above sea level. Now this is what I call mountain climbing…
It only takes about 7 minutes to get to the top and it’s the best way to experience the peaks in all weather conditions.
And here we are right at the top. It might be very windy, but just look at the views – absolutely incredible.
The views across Cairngorm National Park are stunning and you can see why this is Britain’s largest nature reserve.
Colin Kirkwood knows the Cairngorms better than most and works at the Mountain Railway.
Richard: What can we see at the top of Cairngorm mountain?
Colin: Well, you get a wonderful view from here. Looking down you can see over Loch Morlich, which is a famous beauty spot in this area, but you also get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. You can see Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain, to the west, and to the north, some eighty miles away, you can see Ben Hope.
Richard: Great Britain has a lot of mountains. What makes this one stand out?
Colin: Well, this is the sixth highest mountain in Britain. It's also a wonderful place for people to come to walk, to climb and, of course, to enjoy snow sports.
Richard: What kind of wildlife can we see?
Colin: Well, if you're lucky, you may see ptarmigan on the mountain, it's kind of like an iconic bird for this area, and also a dotterel, which is a rare and protected species, and you might well see some mountain hare as well.
Richard: What do you love most about it?
Colin: Well, I think it's a very special place to work. To me, it's a real privilege to be able to work in this kind of mountain environment and to enthuse about it to other people and attract them to coming here.
.....
Another one of Scotland’s famous landmarks is Loch Ness. It’s 37km long and 239m deep at the deepest point, and some say it has its own monster!
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is just a shot trip across the water. This world heritage site is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.
Next we’re heading north.
I’ve come to Cairngorm National Park in Scotland, home to 5 out of 6 of the tallest mountains in Britain, and what’s more, I'm going to get to the top of that mountain without losing my breath!
If you don’t fancy the hour and a half walk to the top, like me, you can ride the Cairngorm Mountain Railway.
Richard: Hiya. One ticket for the funicular, please.
The journey is 2km long, which makes this the highest railway journey in Great Britain. The train takes us to the top of the mountain – nearly 2000 metres above sea level. Now this is what I call mountain climbing…
It only takes about 7 minutes to get to the top and it’s the best way to experience the peaks in all weather conditions.
And here we are right at the top. It might be very windy, but just look at the views – absolutely incredible.
The views across Cairngorm National Park are stunning and you can see why this is Britain’s largest nature reserve.
Colin Kirkwood knows the Cairngorms better than most and works at the Mountain Railway.
Richard: What can we see at the top of Cairngorm mountain?
Colin: Well, you get a wonderful view from here. Looking down you can see over Loch Morlich, which is a famous beauty spot in this area, but you also get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. You can see Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain, to the west, and to the north, some eighty miles away, you can see Ben Hope.
Richard: Great Britain has a lot of mountains. What makes this one stand out?
Colin: Well, this is the sixth highest mountain in Britain. It's also a wonderful place for people to come to walk, to climb and, of course, to enjoy snow sports.
Richard: What kind of wildlife can we see?
Colin: Well, if you're lucky, you may see ptarmigan on the mountain, it's kind of like an iconic bird for this area, and also a dotterel, which is a rare and protected species, and you might well see some mountain hare as well.
Richard: What do you love most about it?
Colin: Well, I think it's a very special place to work. To me, it's a real privilege to be able to work in this kind of mountain environment and to enthuse about it to other people and attract them to coming here.
.....
Another one of Scotland’s famous landmarks is Loch Ness. It’s 37km long and 239m deep at the deepest point, and some say it has its own monster!
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is just a shot trip across the water. This world heritage site is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.
Countryside is Great - Part 1
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/countryside-great-part-1
Transcript
Welcome to Great Britain and the best of British countryside!
This landscape is incredibly varied, from the sweeping coastlines to the rolling hills and majestic mountains and, with a mild climate and plenty of rain, it really is a green and pleasant land that I’m about to explore.
There are 15 national parks in Great Britain, and one of the most beautiful is here in the Lake District.
It’s the second largest national park in Britain and is full of scenic mountains and picturesque lakes.
In the heart of the Lake District is Lake Windermere - the largest natural lake in England. It’s over 18km long and around 66m deep - so it’s fairly easy to find!
This area is said to be one of the most beautiful in Great Britain. In the past, boats transported slate, timber and wool across the lake, and fishing was really important here.
Hiya. One ticket for the Windermere Lake cruise, please.
Richard: Hello, Jacqui.
Jacqui: Hello, Richard.
Richard: Jacqui O'Connor of Lake Windermere Cruises is giving me a private tour of the lake.
Jacqui, this is lovely. How many people choose to see the lakes like this every year?
Jacqui: Richard, we carry on average 1.35 million passengers on our boats.
Richard: And why do you think so many people find this area appealing?
Jacqui: Oh, I think basically all you have to do is to look around you. Look at this absolutely stunning scenery. It's absolutely beautiful. They come to get away, to enjoy peace and tranquility, to come to have a look at the nature. It's also, Windermere Lake Cruises is one of the top tourist attractions in the north-west of England so when you come to this area, come and cruise on the lake, definitely - it must be done!
Richard: And you obviously love coming out here and love being part of all of this?
Jacqui: I do. It's fantastic. It's just a beautiful area to live. Really nice, lovely, friendly, peaceful. It's great.
Well, I’m wild about Windermere but what about Wales? Just over the border there’s some stunning countryside, at another national park.
One of the most visited parks is Snowdonia in Wales. 6 million people come to visit the incredible mountains every year.
Wales is famous for its mountains, but also countryside closer to sea level. This fishing village on the north coast has 3km of sweeping bay, offering a sheltered harbour to visitors from around the world.
Welcome to Great Britain and the best of British countryside!
This landscape is incredibly varied, from the sweeping coastlines to the rolling hills and majestic mountains and, with a mild climate and plenty of rain, it really is a green and pleasant land that I’m about to explore.
There are 15 national parks in Great Britain, and one of the most beautiful is here in the Lake District.
It’s the second largest national park in Britain and is full of scenic mountains and picturesque lakes.
In the heart of the Lake District is Lake Windermere - the largest natural lake in England. It’s over 18km long and around 66m deep - so it’s fairly easy to find!
This area is said to be one of the most beautiful in Great Britain. In the past, boats transported slate, timber and wool across the lake, and fishing was really important here.
Hiya. One ticket for the Windermere Lake cruise, please.
Richard: Hello, Jacqui.
Jacqui: Hello, Richard.
Richard: Jacqui O'Connor of Lake Windermere Cruises is giving me a private tour of the lake.
Jacqui, this is lovely. How many people choose to see the lakes like this every year?
Jacqui: Richard, we carry on average 1.35 million passengers on our boats.
Richard: And why do you think so many people find this area appealing?
Jacqui: Oh, I think basically all you have to do is to look around you. Look at this absolutely stunning scenery. It's absolutely beautiful. They come to get away, to enjoy peace and tranquility, to come to have a look at the nature. It's also, Windermere Lake Cruises is one of the top tourist attractions in the north-west of England so when you come to this area, come and cruise on the lake, definitely - it must be done!
Richard: And you obviously love coming out here and love being part of all of this?
Jacqui: I do. It's fantastic. It's just a beautiful area to live. Really nice, lovely, friendly, peaceful. It's great.
Well, I’m wild about Windermere but what about Wales? Just over the border there’s some stunning countryside, at another national park.
One of the most visited parks is Snowdonia in Wales. 6 million people come to visit the incredible mountains every year.
Wales is famous for its mountains, but also countryside closer to sea level. This fishing village on the north coast has 3km of sweeping bay, offering a sheltered harbour to visitors from around the world.
Entrepreneurs are Great - Part 2
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/entrepreneurs-are-great-part-2
Transcript
London is Britain’s business capital. Hundreds of entrepreneurs have set up their high-flying businesses here. Whether commercial, retail or tourism, Britain is the place to be.
There are some amazing small businesses popping up all over Great Britain. This is Yarm High Street in the north-east of England where two sisters are really making their mark on the worldwide fashion scene... and they’ve only just entered their 20s. Let’s go and say hello.
Emily: Hello, Rock 'N Rose. Emily speaking.
Emily and Jess started making jewellery from their mum’s garage when they were just 15 years old. Today this British vintage-inspired brand is worn by celebrities, trend-setters, and sold around the world, and their profits are booming. This is their own studio where they make most of the jewellery.
There’s no stopping these young entrepreneurs. And I want to know what the secret of their success is.
Jess: Hi Richard! Welcome to Rock ‘N Rose… Come on in…
Richard: Ladies, tell me. How has the business started from nothing to all of this?
Jess: Well, we started back in 2007, and it really started as more of a hobby, part-time, a way of making a bit of cash really and it kind of grew exponentially from there.
Richard: How do you feel when you see your jewellery in magazines and being worn by celebrities?
Emily: Sometimes you've got to pinch yourself to really realise how well we're doing and how many magazine features we are getting.
Richard: Do you think Great Britain is a good place for entrepreneurs?
Jess: Definitely. I think there's a lot of help and advice available out there. I know we had a business advisor from Business Link, the government organisation, and they were invaluable to us, weren't they? And I think there's lots of websites and there's lots of information out there to help people in Great Britain with entrepreneurship.
.....
Some companies come from abroad to set up in Great Britain, too. In fact, more overseas businesses choose to set up here in Britain than anywhere else in the world.
But, when it comes to British success, this next businessman is one of the best…
Bannatyne’s health club in Darlington is owned by Duncan Bannantyne, one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs, and I’m hoping he’ll help me make my first million… well, I can dream!
Duncan has also come become something of a TV celebrity and I can’t wait to meet him.
Duncan Bannatyne is a multimillionaire. He’s the proud owner of 61 health clubs, 3 hotels, 28 day spas and even a bar… and the entire empire of the entrepreneur was built through sheer hard work.
Richard: You're very successful now, but how did your career begin?
Duncan: My career began when I was 29. I was on the beach - I was a beach bum in Jersey. I was just enjoying life, had no money, no bank account. I worked in a bakery for a year and I was 31 years old and I would finish working in a bakery, go to the car auction, buy an old car, do it up, sell it for a profit, and 2 weeks after we bought our first house, I saw an ice-cream van coming through the auction. I decided to buy it and start a business.
Richard: In what way is Great Britain a nation of entrepreneurs?
Duncan: Great Britain has got a great entrepreneurial spirit and it's coming out quite a lot now since television programs like The Apprentice and Dragons' Den. Entrepreneurism is about working hard, building a business, but more importantly enjoying that and enjoying life.
Richard: So if I was to set up business, what advice would you give me?
Duncan: If you set up a business, my piece of advice to you would be to work hard, make it work, and really, really enjoy it.
Richard: Glad you mentioned that, Duncan, because I've got an idea for a start-up company. I was just wondering if you'd like to come in and invest and...
Duncan: I'm out.
Richard: You haven't heard the idea yet so...
Duncan: I know. I'm out.
Richard: That's a little harsh.
.....
Well I couldn't leave without using the facilities, could I? That’s enough of that.
Well, I’ve met some of Britain's greatest entrepreneurs, and it’s left me feeling very inspired. In fact, I'm ready to take on the world. Come on!
It’s this way.
Transcript
London is Britain’s business capital. Hundreds of entrepreneurs have set up their high-flying businesses here. Whether commercial, retail or tourism, Britain is the place to be.
There are some amazing small businesses popping up all over Great Britain. This is Yarm High Street in the north-east of England where two sisters are really making their mark on the worldwide fashion scene... and they’ve only just entered their 20s. Let’s go and say hello.
Emily: Hello, Rock 'N Rose. Emily speaking.
Emily and Jess started making jewellery from their mum’s garage when they were just 15 years old. Today this British vintage-inspired brand is worn by celebrities, trend-setters, and sold around the world, and their profits are booming. This is their own studio where they make most of the jewellery.
There’s no stopping these young entrepreneurs. And I want to know what the secret of their success is.
Jess: Hi Richard! Welcome to Rock ‘N Rose… Come on in…
Richard: Ladies, tell me. How has the business started from nothing to all of this?
Jess: Well, we started back in 2007, and it really started as more of a hobby, part-time, a way of making a bit of cash really and it kind of grew exponentially from there.
Richard: How do you feel when you see your jewellery in magazines and being worn by celebrities?
Emily: Sometimes you've got to pinch yourself to really realise how well we're doing and how many magazine features we are getting.
Richard: Do you think Great Britain is a good place for entrepreneurs?
Jess: Definitely. I think there's a lot of help and advice available out there. I know we had a business advisor from Business Link, the government organisation, and they were invaluable to us, weren't they? And I think there's lots of websites and there's lots of information out there to help people in Great Britain with entrepreneurship.
.....
Some companies come from abroad to set up in Great Britain, too. In fact, more overseas businesses choose to set up here in Britain than anywhere else in the world.
But, when it comes to British success, this next businessman is one of the best…
Bannatyne’s health club in Darlington is owned by Duncan Bannantyne, one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs, and I’m hoping he’ll help me make my first million… well, I can dream!
Duncan has also come become something of a TV celebrity and I can’t wait to meet him.
Duncan Bannatyne is a multimillionaire. He’s the proud owner of 61 health clubs, 3 hotels, 28 day spas and even a bar… and the entire empire of the entrepreneur was built through sheer hard work.
Richard: You're very successful now, but how did your career begin?
Duncan: My career began when I was 29. I was on the beach - I was a beach bum in Jersey. I was just enjoying life, had no money, no bank account. I worked in a bakery for a year and I was 31 years old and I would finish working in a bakery, go to the car auction, buy an old car, do it up, sell it for a profit, and 2 weeks after we bought our first house, I saw an ice-cream van coming through the auction. I decided to buy it and start a business.
Richard: In what way is Great Britain a nation of entrepreneurs?
Duncan: Great Britain has got a great entrepreneurial spirit and it's coming out quite a lot now since television programs like The Apprentice and Dragons' Den. Entrepreneurism is about working hard, building a business, but more importantly enjoying that and enjoying life.
Richard: So if I was to set up business, what advice would you give me?
Duncan: If you set up a business, my piece of advice to you would be to work hard, make it work, and really, really enjoy it.
Richard: Glad you mentioned that, Duncan, because I've got an idea for a start-up company. I was just wondering if you'd like to come in and invest and...
Duncan: I'm out.
Richard: You haven't heard the idea yet so...
Duncan: I know. I'm out.
Richard: That's a little harsh.
.....
Well I couldn't leave without using the facilities, could I? That’s enough of that.
Well, I’ve met some of Britain's greatest entrepreneurs, and it’s left me feeling very inspired. In fact, I'm ready to take on the world. Come on!
It’s this way.
Entrepreneurs are Great - Part 1
Transcript
Great Britain is a country full of bright business ideas, and the people behind these ideas are great entrepreneurs.
Through hard work, risk and dedication, they've become some of the most successful people in the world and I’m off to meet a few of them.
Oxford is home to one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, Sir Richard Branson. He’s one of the best-known faces of business in Britain and Britain's fourth richest citizen. Wonder where I am on that list...
Richard Branson's success started when he opened his first record shop in Oxford Street, London, in 1971, and he never looked back. His success rocketed from launching his own record label, Virgin Records, to creating the hugely successful Virgin Atlantic Airways, and he's now worth an estimated 4.2 billion dollars. I've been lucky enough to be invited to Richard Branson's home and I'm really excited about it. I'm hoping to find out the secret of his success.
Richard: Sir Richard, you are one of the world's greatest entrepreneurs, not just in Britain. How have you achieved this?
Sir Richard: Well, by having a blast, having a lot of fun, trying to create ventures that really make a difference to other people's lives, not being afraid to give it a go, sometimes falling flat on my face, sometimes succeeding.
Richard: So in your eyes, what makes a good entrepreneur?
Sir Richard: An entrepreneur is somebody who sees a gap in the market and feels that people are not being treated well, and gets in there and fills that gap. An entrepreneur is somebody who, you know, believes in what they're doing 100%, who acts with integrity, who realises their reputation is all they've got in life and sets about to create a great brand.
Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to Virgin’s success and he's not alone. Britain is a great place to do business.
Richard: Any advice for me?
Sir Richard: Don't try to do everything yourself. You know, try to find people who are better than you. Learn the art of delegation early on. Make sure that all the people who are working for you have fun in what they're doing because 90% of your life seems to be spent at work, so make sure it's enjoyable, and screw it, just do it. Just get on with it.
Great Britain is a country full of bright business ideas, and the people behind these ideas are great entrepreneurs.
Through hard work, risk and dedication, they've become some of the most successful people in the world and I’m off to meet a few of them.
Oxford is home to one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, Sir Richard Branson. He’s one of the best-known faces of business in Britain and Britain's fourth richest citizen. Wonder where I am on that list...
Richard Branson's success started when he opened his first record shop in Oxford Street, London, in 1971, and he never looked back. His success rocketed from launching his own record label, Virgin Records, to creating the hugely successful Virgin Atlantic Airways, and he's now worth an estimated 4.2 billion dollars. I've been lucky enough to be invited to Richard Branson's home and I'm really excited about it. I'm hoping to find out the secret of his success.
Richard: Sir Richard, you are one of the world's greatest entrepreneurs, not just in Britain. How have you achieved this?
Sir Richard: Well, by having a blast, having a lot of fun, trying to create ventures that really make a difference to other people's lives, not being afraid to give it a go, sometimes falling flat on my face, sometimes succeeding.
Richard: So in your eyes, what makes a good entrepreneur?
Sir Richard: An entrepreneur is somebody who sees a gap in the market and feels that people are not being treated well, and gets in there and fills that gap. An entrepreneur is somebody who, you know, believes in what they're doing 100%, who acts with integrity, who realises their reputation is all they've got in life and sets about to create a great brand.
Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to Virgin’s success and he's not alone. Britain is a great place to do business.
Richard: Any advice for me?
Sir Richard: Don't try to do everything yourself. You know, try to find people who are better than you. Learn the art of delegation early on. Make sure that all the people who are working for you have fun in what they're doing because 90% of your life seems to be spent at work, so make sure it's enjoyable, and screw it, just do it. Just get on with it.
Music is Great - Part 2
Transcript
From festival fun to the glamour of opera. This is the magnificent Royal Albert Hall in London.
Tonight is press night for their new production of Aida… and for some reason they’ve let me in… although I'm not entirely sure if I’m dressed for the occasion.
The Royal Albert Hall, named after Queen Victoria’s husband, opened in 1871. It’s been busy hosting music and performance events ever since.
Tonight it’s all about opera. Verdi’s Aida is a love story about a princess and a soldier. This production is presented by the Royal Albert Hall and Raymond Gubbay Ltd and features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jasper Hope is the chief operating officer here at the Royal Albert Hall.
Richard: Jasper, this is such an incredible building. Tell me about it.
Jasper: Thank you. Well, this is the ceremonial entrance of the Royal Albert Hall, and we are 140 years old, and probably the world's most famous stage.
Richard: And what's your favourite thing about the Royal Albert Hall?
Jasper: Seeing the audience's reaction, I think, to walking in for the first time.
Richard: So, in your opinion, what is so great about great British music?
Jasper: Well, just think about this building and the stage, and who we've hosted over the years. Edward Elgar, The Beatles, Yehudi Menuhin, the Rolling Stones, Adele, you name it, they've all played here. That is great British music.
Music is at the heart of British culture and is used as a way of reaching out to young people and disadvantaged groups.
This is Southampton on the south coast. Now, a shopping centre is the last place I’d expect to find music talent. But inside, there's a music project that is making a big difference to kids' lives.
SoCo may be a small team but they are making a big difference. Known as The Hub, it’s a space perfect for creating music for all ages. Here musicians take to the stage, record balcony sessions for up-and-coming bands and have workshops in many creative activities.
Matt Salvage runs the project.
Richard: Matt, this is a fantastic project. Tell me about it.
Matt: Well, it's a space where people can come and get involved in music. We work with lots of different groups of people who can engage with music-making and arts.
Richard: So what happens here?
Matt: We do all sorts of stuff here, whether it's an opportunity for people to write music, get involved in a project that we've got running, or people can do recording or performance.
Richard: So who comes here?
Matt: We get a real mixture of people coming here. The project was set up really to help disadvantaged groups, so we work with young people, we work with homeless people, people with drug problems, older people, we run a mental health music group, and it's really just people who wouldn't be able to otherwise access projects like this.
Richard: Is it making a difference?
Matt: I think it's really making a difference. Just by having this space here and allowing people to come and get involved in something that's creative, something that they can be passionate about, it gives them a really positive focus.
Richard: That's great, Matt. Can I have a go?
Matt: Yeah, go for it!
What an amazing musical journey I’ve had. And who knows? Maybe someone out there will notice my talent...
From festival fun to the glamour of opera. This is the magnificent Royal Albert Hall in London.
Tonight is press night for their new production of Aida… and for some reason they’ve let me in… although I'm not entirely sure if I’m dressed for the occasion.
The Royal Albert Hall, named after Queen Victoria’s husband, opened in 1871. It’s been busy hosting music and performance events ever since.
Tonight it’s all about opera. Verdi’s Aida is a love story about a princess and a soldier. This production is presented by the Royal Albert Hall and Raymond Gubbay Ltd and features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jasper Hope is the chief operating officer here at the Royal Albert Hall.
Richard: Jasper, this is such an incredible building. Tell me about it.
Jasper: Thank you. Well, this is the ceremonial entrance of the Royal Albert Hall, and we are 140 years old, and probably the world's most famous stage.
Richard: And what's your favourite thing about the Royal Albert Hall?
Jasper: Seeing the audience's reaction, I think, to walking in for the first time.
Richard: So, in your opinion, what is so great about great British music?
Jasper: Well, just think about this building and the stage, and who we've hosted over the years. Edward Elgar, The Beatles, Yehudi Menuhin, the Rolling Stones, Adele, you name it, they've all played here. That is great British music.
Music is at the heart of British culture and is used as a way of reaching out to young people and disadvantaged groups.
This is Southampton on the south coast. Now, a shopping centre is the last place I’d expect to find music talent. But inside, there's a music project that is making a big difference to kids' lives.
SoCo may be a small team but they are making a big difference. Known as The Hub, it’s a space perfect for creating music for all ages. Here musicians take to the stage, record balcony sessions for up-and-coming bands and have workshops in many creative activities.
Matt Salvage runs the project.
Richard: Matt, this is a fantastic project. Tell me about it.
Matt: Well, it's a space where people can come and get involved in music. We work with lots of different groups of people who can engage with music-making and arts.
Richard: So what happens here?
Matt: We do all sorts of stuff here, whether it's an opportunity for people to write music, get involved in a project that we've got running, or people can do recording or performance.
Richard: So who comes here?
Matt: We get a real mixture of people coming here. The project was set up really to help disadvantaged groups, so we work with young people, we work with homeless people, people with drug problems, older people, we run a mental health music group, and it's really just people who wouldn't be able to otherwise access projects like this.
Richard: Is it making a difference?
Matt: I think it's really making a difference. Just by having this space here and allowing people to come and get involved in something that's creative, something that they can be passionate about, it gives them a really positive focus.
Richard: That's great, Matt. Can I have a go?
Matt: Yeah, go for it!
What an amazing musical journey I’ve had. And who knows? Maybe someone out there will notice my talent...
Music is Great - Part 1
Transcript
From hip hop to jazz… From dance to the blues: it’s music, and there’s a style for everyone. Some of the greatest music in the world comes from Britain, and British music is still topping the charts today.
The Premises recording studios are big players in the music industry. Everyone from Lana del Rey to the Arctic Monkeys come here. Let’s find out more.
If you’ve heard of them, they’ve probably played here. The Premises has been one of London’s most popular studios for over 25 years. It has space for rehearsing, recording and mixing some of the best music in the world.
Viv Broughton is the studio boss.
Richard: Viv, tell me about The Premises.
Viv: Well, The Premises is a complex of recording studios and I don’t really think there’s anything quite like it anywhere in the country. It's a mixture of rehearsal studios, recording studios, a lively café, storage facilities, so it's a really busy place. Hundreds of people passing through all the time.
Richard: What sort of artists come here?
Viv: Oh, a mixture of people. I mean, we've been going for 26 years so almost everybody you can think of has passed through the doors one way or another, so I think in the last couple of years people like Rihanna and Adele and Lana Del Rey. Last month we had Ronnie Wood in from the Rolling Stones, so it's quite a mixture of people.
Richard: What is it about Britain that creates such musical talent?
Viv: Ah, that's a good question. It's a bit of a mystery but there just must be something in the water or in the air. Britain produces just so many amazing bands, from The Beatles and the Rolling Stones onwards and it's a melting pot of great recording and writing talent.
Britain has some of the world’s greatest music festivals. This is Bestival in the Isle of Wight. For 4 days every year, thousands of people come to this award-winning event to listen to and watch some of the greatest music acts around. There’s music here for everyone…
From hip hop to jazz… From dance to the blues: it’s music, and there’s a style for everyone. Some of the greatest music in the world comes from Britain, and British music is still topping the charts today.
The Premises recording studios are big players in the music industry. Everyone from Lana del Rey to the Arctic Monkeys come here. Let’s find out more.
If you’ve heard of them, they’ve probably played here. The Premises has been one of London’s most popular studios for over 25 years. It has space for rehearsing, recording and mixing some of the best music in the world.
Viv Broughton is the studio boss.
Richard: Viv, tell me about The Premises.
Viv: Well, The Premises is a complex of recording studios and I don’t really think there’s anything quite like it anywhere in the country. It's a mixture of rehearsal studios, recording studios, a lively café, storage facilities, so it's a really busy place. Hundreds of people passing through all the time.
Richard: What sort of artists come here?
Viv: Oh, a mixture of people. I mean, we've been going for 26 years so almost everybody you can think of has passed through the doors one way or another, so I think in the last couple of years people like Rihanna and Adele and Lana Del Rey. Last month we had Ronnie Wood in from the Rolling Stones, so it's quite a mixture of people.
Richard: What is it about Britain that creates such musical talent?
Viv: Ah, that's a good question. It's a bit of a mystery but there just must be something in the water or in the air. Britain produces just so many amazing bands, from The Beatles and the Rolling Stones onwards and it's a melting pot of great recording and writing talent.
Britain has some of the world’s greatest music festivals. This is Bestival in the Isle of Wight. For 4 days every year, thousands of people come to this award-winning event to listen to and watch some of the greatest music acts around. There’s music here for everyone…
Literature is Great - Part 2
Transcript
The works of George Orwell, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien have arguably more influence today than when they were first published. 1984, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings have also been turned into movies as has that other icon of British fiction: Harry Potter.
This is Leadenhall Market, an old-fashioned Victorian market that's still popular today, and I've been told that if I walk over here, something rather magical will happen... because this is also the location of Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter films where wizards come shopping.
Evanesco!
…..
The Harry Potter films were adapted from the children’s novels of J.K. Rowling. She is a world-class leader in modern literature and one of the most successful authors of her generation. Over 450 million copies of the Harry Potter books have sold throughout the world. They’ve been translated into 72 different languages.
Amanda Craig is a novelist and The Times critic for children’s literature.
Richard: Amanda, what impact has J.K. Rowling had on literature?
Amanda: I think above all, I think she's reminded the world that the British are great storytellers. She's made people in every country laugh, cry and sit on the edge of their seats.
Richard: What about other British authors, then?
Amanda: Well, there are fantastic children's authors, like Philip Pullman, whose Dark Materials trilogy I'm sure will be familiar, and Anthony Horowitz, who reinvented the James Bond spy novel for teenagers, and for younger children, there's Cressida Cowell's How to Train your Dragon. All of these are fantastic stories.
Richard: Why is Britain such a breeding ground for writing talent?
Amanda: Well, we've had over 200 years of practice at the novel and 600 years at the play. We've got people like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare to draw upon, we've got the wonderful English language and I think we are full of curiosity about other people. We want to entertain them, we want to make them laugh, we want to make them feel shivers up their spine. We just love literature.
.....
Well, I’m excited about the classics and the future of modern British literature. They say there’s a book in everyone and I feel so inspired, I'm going to start writing straight away. I just need a pen...
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/literature-great
This is Leadenhall Market, an old-fashioned Victorian market that's still popular today, and I've been told that if I walk over here, something rather magical will happen... because this is also the location of Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter films where wizards come shopping.
Evanesco!
…..
The Harry Potter films were adapted from the children’s novels of J.K. Rowling. She is a world-class leader in modern literature and one of the most successful authors of her generation. Over 450 million copies of the Harry Potter books have sold throughout the world. They’ve been translated into 72 different languages.
Amanda Craig is a novelist and The Times critic for children’s literature.
Richard: Amanda, what impact has J.K. Rowling had on literature?
Amanda: I think above all, I think she's reminded the world that the British are great storytellers. She's made people in every country laugh, cry and sit on the edge of their seats.
Richard: What about other British authors, then?
Amanda: Well, there are fantastic children's authors, like Philip Pullman, whose Dark Materials trilogy I'm sure will be familiar, and Anthony Horowitz, who reinvented the James Bond spy novel for teenagers, and for younger children, there's Cressida Cowell's How to Train your Dragon. All of these are fantastic stories.
Richard: Why is Britain such a breeding ground for writing talent?
Amanda: Well, we've had over 200 years of practice at the novel and 600 years at the play. We've got people like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare to draw upon, we've got the wonderful English language and I think we are full of curiosity about other people. We want to entertain them, we want to make them laugh, we want to make them feel shivers up their spine. We just love literature.
.....
Well, I’m excited about the classics and the future of modern British literature. They say there’s a book in everyone and I feel so inspired, I'm going to start writing straight away. I just need a pen...
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/literature-great
Literature is Great - Part 1
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/literature-great-part-1
Transcript
Poets, playwrights and novelists, Britain is famous for its literary talent. From Chaucer’s 'Tales' to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter… so much of the world’s greatest literature has come from Britain.
And the greatest British writer of them all is the Bard himself: William Shakespeare, and this is Shakespeare’s Globe in London, on the banks of the River Thames.
William Shakespeare wrote some of the most famous plays in the world. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth are among his best-known works. Many of his plays were performed at the original Globe Theatre, a short distance from here. It burnt down in 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII.
Shakespeare’s Globe opened to the public fifteen years ago. It’s an idea or ‘best guess’ at what the Globe might have looked like. It’s a theatre, exhibition space and place of international education. It aims to bring an appreciation of Shakespeare to a wider audience.
Dominic Dromgoole is the Globe's artistic director.
Richard: Dominic, tell me about the Globe.
Dominic: The Globe is a recreation of Shakespeare's theatre which was originally built in 1599 by Shakespeare's own company to house his own work and the work of many other playwrights. It's an extraordinary theatre. It has no roof, as you can see, which makes it extraordinary within itself. It has a curved auditorium and a beautiful frons scenae, and it's probably one of the most exciting theatres to watch a play in or to act in in the world.
Richard: So what happens here?
Dominic: We do about 300 performances every year, about 1,500 people attend every performance. We do a variety of plays by Shakespeare, by other contemporaries of Shakespeare, by... new plays as well, and an extraordinary audience comes from all over the world.
Richard: Do you think Shakespeare is still relevant today?
Dominic: More than ever. Shakespeare speaks to us about our own personal feelings, about love, about grief, about jealousy, about joy, about bereavement, about any of a huge number of things. I can hardly think of a contemporary writer who is as relevant as Shakespeare is.
.....
Do you know what? I’ve got a real feeling of what a theatre would have been like hundreds of years ago. It’s inspirational…
To be or not to be? That's the question, isn't it?
.....
The British landscape has had a huge influence on generations of writers and has inspired them to produce some of their greatest works.
The beauty of the Dorset countryside shines through Thomas Hardy's novels, and Wordsworth's poetry is clearly affected by his love of the Lake District.
The landscape of the city has also influenced authors. The plight of the urban poor inspired one the giants of English literature, Charles Dickens.
......
Charles Dickens was a great British novelist. He lived here, at 48 Doughty Street in London, and his old home has now been turned into a museum. I’m going to step back in time to see how Dickens might have lived.
The Charles Dickens Museum has over 100,000 rare books, works of art and many personal items owned by Dickens himself. Some of his best-loved works, like Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, were written here. Dickens was popular in his day, but his work has never gone out of print.
Julia Ziemer works at the museum.
Richard: Julia, tell me about the museum.
Julia: So, the museum is based at 48 Doughty Street in London. It's where Dickens lived for 2 years with his young family and where he wrote Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby.
Richard: What are your most important pieces?
Julia: We have original manuscript material from Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. We have the desk that Dickens wrote on for his final novel and the painting by R.W. Buss called Dickens's Dream.
Richard: Dickens led a very hard life. Do you think that influenced his writing?
Julia: Absolutely. Dickens was sent to work in a factory when he was just 10 years old, and that experience stayed with him for the rest of his life. If you look at his novels, lots of characters are young children working in horrible conditions.
Richard: Why was he such an important figure?
Julia: Dickens was a unique writer in his time in that he was very popular with the working classes but also respected by the literature community and read by the higher classes.
Richard: He was born 200 years ago. Do you think he's still relevant today?
Julia: Definitely. 200 years on, the things that Dickens was writing about - social inequality, poverty - are still very relevant today.
This is the last desk that Dickens ever wrote at and I can’t wait to have a read of these. Dickens’ work seems to be able to cross the centuries, but he’s not alone. Other British novelists from the past are still popular today.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/literature-great
Transcript
Poets, playwrights and novelists, Britain is famous for its literary talent. From Chaucer’s 'Tales' to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter… so much of the world’s greatest literature has come from Britain.
And the greatest British writer of them all is the Bard himself: William Shakespeare, and this is Shakespeare’s Globe in London, on the banks of the River Thames.
William Shakespeare wrote some of the most famous plays in the world. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth are among his best-known works. Many of his plays were performed at the original Globe Theatre, a short distance from here. It burnt down in 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII.
Shakespeare’s Globe opened to the public fifteen years ago. It’s an idea or ‘best guess’ at what the Globe might have looked like. It’s a theatre, exhibition space and place of international education. It aims to bring an appreciation of Shakespeare to a wider audience.
Dominic Dromgoole is the Globe's artistic director.
Richard: Dominic, tell me about the Globe.
Dominic: The Globe is a recreation of Shakespeare's theatre which was originally built in 1599 by Shakespeare's own company to house his own work and the work of many other playwrights. It's an extraordinary theatre. It has no roof, as you can see, which makes it extraordinary within itself. It has a curved auditorium and a beautiful frons scenae, and it's probably one of the most exciting theatres to watch a play in or to act in in the world.
Richard: So what happens here?
Dominic: We do about 300 performances every year, about 1,500 people attend every performance. We do a variety of plays by Shakespeare, by other contemporaries of Shakespeare, by... new plays as well, and an extraordinary audience comes from all over the world.
Richard: Do you think Shakespeare is still relevant today?
Dominic: More than ever. Shakespeare speaks to us about our own personal feelings, about love, about grief, about jealousy, about joy, about bereavement, about any of a huge number of things. I can hardly think of a contemporary writer who is as relevant as Shakespeare is.
.....
Do you know what? I’ve got a real feeling of what a theatre would have been like hundreds of years ago. It’s inspirational…
To be or not to be? That's the question, isn't it?
.....
The British landscape has had a huge influence on generations of writers and has inspired them to produce some of their greatest works.
The beauty of the Dorset countryside shines through Thomas Hardy's novels, and Wordsworth's poetry is clearly affected by his love of the Lake District.
The landscape of the city has also influenced authors. The plight of the urban poor inspired one the giants of English literature, Charles Dickens.
......
Charles Dickens was a great British novelist. He lived here, at 48 Doughty Street in London, and his old home has now been turned into a museum. I’m going to step back in time to see how Dickens might have lived.
The Charles Dickens Museum has over 100,000 rare books, works of art and many personal items owned by Dickens himself. Some of his best-loved works, like Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, were written here. Dickens was popular in his day, but his work has never gone out of print.
Julia Ziemer works at the museum.
Richard: Julia, tell me about the museum.
Julia: So, the museum is based at 48 Doughty Street in London. It's where Dickens lived for 2 years with his young family and where he wrote Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby.
Richard: What are your most important pieces?
Julia: We have original manuscript material from Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. We have the desk that Dickens wrote on for his final novel and the painting by R.W. Buss called Dickens's Dream.
Richard: Dickens led a very hard life. Do you think that influenced his writing?
Julia: Absolutely. Dickens was sent to work in a factory when he was just 10 years old, and that experience stayed with him for the rest of his life. If you look at his novels, lots of characters are young children working in horrible conditions.
Richard: Why was he such an important figure?
Julia: Dickens was a unique writer in his time in that he was very popular with the working classes but also respected by the literature community and read by the higher classes.
Richard: He was born 200 years ago. Do you think he's still relevant today?
Julia: Definitely. 200 years on, the things that Dickens was writing about - social inequality, poverty - are still very relevant today.
This is the last desk that Dickens ever wrote at and I can’t wait to have a read of these. Dickens’ work seems to be able to cross the centuries, but he’s not alone. Other British novelists from the past are still popular today.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/literature-great
Heritage is Great - Part 2
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/heritage-great-part-2
Transcript
Canterbury and Exeter cathedrals also boast magnificent architecture and attract visitors from around the world.
.....
Some historic treasure dates back even further.
Stonehenge… This giant circle of stones stands out as one of Britain’s most famous and visited historical sites. Dating back thousands of years, its origins still remain a mystery and that's why it’s still so popular.
Susan Greaney is a historian.
Richard: Susan, what is Stonehenge?
Susan: Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone monument built about four and a half thousand years ago in what we call the Neolithic period. We think it was probably used as some kind of temple.
Richard: So why is it so important?
Susan: Well, Stonehenge is unique in the world. It's an incredibly complex monument and it's amazing that it's survived from so long ago.
Richard: Now you also do research here, so what have you discovered about the site?
Susan: Stonehenge has got lots and lots of secrets and archaeology is trying to reveal them the whole time. One of the most recent things we've been doing is a laser survey of the standing stones and that's telling us lots of new detail about how the stones were carved, and how they were set up, and the kinds of carvings and graffiti that are on the stones.
Richard: Tell me one of the famous myths around the circle.
Susan: Well, there's a really interesting myth about the fact that the stones were brought here from Ireland by the wizard Merlin and that was a myth that was popular in the medieval period. Actually, we know that some of the smaller blue stones here do come from the west, from Wales, so there's an element of truth underneath the myth.
So there you go. What a great heritage Britain has, as seen here at Stonehenge. I'm off to explore some more.
Transcript
Canterbury and Exeter cathedrals also boast magnificent architecture and attract visitors from around the world.
.....
Some historic treasure dates back even further.
Stonehenge… This giant circle of stones stands out as one of Britain’s most famous and visited historical sites. Dating back thousands of years, its origins still remain a mystery and that's why it’s still so popular.
Susan Greaney is a historian.
Richard: Susan, what is Stonehenge?
Susan: Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone monument built about four and a half thousand years ago in what we call the Neolithic period. We think it was probably used as some kind of temple.
Richard: So why is it so important?
Susan: Well, Stonehenge is unique in the world. It's an incredibly complex monument and it's amazing that it's survived from so long ago.
Richard: Now you also do research here, so what have you discovered about the site?
Susan: Stonehenge has got lots and lots of secrets and archaeology is trying to reveal them the whole time. One of the most recent things we've been doing is a laser survey of the standing stones and that's telling us lots of new detail about how the stones were carved, and how they were set up, and the kinds of carvings and graffiti that are on the stones.
Richard: Tell me one of the famous myths around the circle.
Susan: Well, there's a really interesting myth about the fact that the stones were brought here from Ireland by the wizard Merlin and that was a myth that was popular in the medieval period. Actually, we know that some of the smaller blue stones here do come from the west, from Wales, so there's an element of truth underneath the myth.
So there you go. What a great heritage Britain has, as seen here at Stonehenge. I'm off to explore some more.
Heritage is Great - Part 1
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/heritage-great-part-1
Transcript
Britain has a great heritage. It has some of the finest historic buildings in the world.
Palaces, castles and museums bursting with tradition and history… there’s just so much to see and do.
Around 30 million people visit Britain every year from overseas.
Three of the top five museums and galleries in the world can be found here.
There are 14 Roman walled cities, 8 heritage cities and hundreds of castles.
In London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are just some of the places to visit, but how to fit it all in? I’ll show you.
Now, one way to see the sights is to hop on and hop off an open-top London bus. Now, most buses go from A to B, but this one is special. This is a Big Bus tour bus and is a great way to see the city.
The Houses of Parliament, one of the largest parliament buildings in the world.
This is Regent Street, which was built in the 1800s. The street itself separated Mayfair, which was an upper-class area, with Soho, over there, which was a working-class area.
Benedict Protheroe is a tour guide.
Richard: So in your opinion then, what is it about London that overseas visitors just absolutely love?
Benedict: Well, in London, we have over 2,000 years of fascinating history. It's a centre for art, for culture, for music, for fashion, there's restaurants, nightlife, museums, the river. Everything you could possibly want to see or do, you've got it here in London.
…..
The River Thames cuts through the heart of the city. At over 200 miles long, it’s the longest river entirely in England.
The iconic London Eye sits next to the Thames. 135 metres high, the Eye was built to celebrate the millennium and has over three and a half million visitors a year.
The city of London’s financial district dominates the skyline. The buildings include 30 St Mary Axe, otherwise known as the London Gherkin.
…..
Historic houses look really grand, but what would it have been like to have lived hundreds of years ago?
I’ve come to Warwick Castle to find out. Let’s step back in time... It's still me!
This castle dates back almost eleven hundred years to William the Conqueror. Very nice!
Edward the Fourth was imprisoned here in the 1400s and Royalist soldiers attacked Warwick during the English Civil War. Some royal visitors have been more welcome. Elizabeth the First and Queen Victoria both spent time here, so I’m in good company.
What a beautiful view... Who turned the lights out?
Adam is the Attractions and Shows team leader.
Richard: Adam, what have you come dressed as?
Adam: Oh, well, today, Richard, I've come dressed in my finest 1620s gear, about what a gentleman would wear about 400 years ago.
Richard: And I love my outfit. What have you got me dressed as?
Adam: Well, I've got you dressed as a man-at-arms of the 15th century, so you're not as wealthy as me, but you still look quite mean and gnarly.
Richard: Cool, good man. Now, tell me about Warwick Castle.
Adam: Well, here at Warwick Castle, we have over one thousand years of incredible jaw-dropping history. The oldest part of the castle goes back well over a thousand years, but what you see here today, Rich, mostly dates back to about 600 years ago and it pretty much remains untouched from then onwards till today.
Richard: So, what would it have been like to live here in medieval times?
Adam: Well, it would probably have been quite a smelly and dark place. The moats that you see down here would have actually not been filled with water, but with sewage draining from the castle.
Richard: Now, I was rather hoping someone would tell me how to use this sword. Do you mind?
Adam: Sadly, I'll be honest with you, it's not really my thing. But I know two gentlemen who will be able to help you out. They're just round the corner.
Richard: Over there?
Adam: Yep. Just round there. Good luck!
Richard: Great! Thank you. What a helpful chap!
Richard: Guys, guys, guys, guys! Hang on, guys, break it up, break it up! I've just been told that you're the guys to see about learning to use the sword. Can you show me a move?
Swordsman: Yes, of course. Well, first of all we need to get you in your on guard stance.
Richard: OK.
Swordsman: Put your left foot forwards and your right foot back turned out to the side and your sword up in front of you like this. Now what you're going to do is the attacking sword is going to come in, you're going to push it down and away and step in and cut.
Richard: No problem.
Swordsman: Think you can do that?
Richard: Step aside, my man. Here we go.
Swordsman: On guard!
Richard: That's quite easy. Very nice. Thanks very much! Is he going to be alright?
Swordsman: Oh, he'll be fine, don't worry.
Richard: Are you sure?
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/heritage-great
Transcript
Britain has a great heritage. It has some of the finest historic buildings in the world.
Palaces, castles and museums bursting with tradition and history… there’s just so much to see and do.
Around 30 million people visit Britain every year from overseas.
Three of the top five museums and galleries in the world can be found here.
There are 14 Roman walled cities, 8 heritage cities and hundreds of castles.
In London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are just some of the places to visit, but how to fit it all in? I’ll show you.
Now, one way to see the sights is to hop on and hop off an open-top London bus. Now, most buses go from A to B, but this one is special. This is a Big Bus tour bus and is a great way to see the city.
The Houses of Parliament, one of the largest parliament buildings in the world.
This is Regent Street, which was built in the 1800s. The street itself separated Mayfair, which was an upper-class area, with Soho, over there, which was a working-class area.
Benedict Protheroe is a tour guide.
Richard: So in your opinion then, what is it about London that overseas visitors just absolutely love?
Benedict: Well, in London, we have over 2,000 years of fascinating history. It's a centre for art, for culture, for music, for fashion, there's restaurants, nightlife, museums, the river. Everything you could possibly want to see or do, you've got it here in London.
…..
The River Thames cuts through the heart of the city. At over 200 miles long, it’s the longest river entirely in England.
The iconic London Eye sits next to the Thames. 135 metres high, the Eye was built to celebrate the millennium and has over three and a half million visitors a year.
The city of London’s financial district dominates the skyline. The buildings include 30 St Mary Axe, otherwise known as the London Gherkin.
…..
Historic houses look really grand, but what would it have been like to have lived hundreds of years ago?
I’ve come to Warwick Castle to find out. Let’s step back in time... It's still me!
This castle dates back almost eleven hundred years to William the Conqueror. Very nice!
Edward the Fourth was imprisoned here in the 1400s and Royalist soldiers attacked Warwick during the English Civil War. Some royal visitors have been more welcome. Elizabeth the First and Queen Victoria both spent time here, so I’m in good company.
What a beautiful view... Who turned the lights out?
Adam is the Attractions and Shows team leader.
Richard: Adam, what have you come dressed as?
Adam: Oh, well, today, Richard, I've come dressed in my finest 1620s gear, about what a gentleman would wear about 400 years ago.
Richard: And I love my outfit. What have you got me dressed as?
Adam: Well, I've got you dressed as a man-at-arms of the 15th century, so you're not as wealthy as me, but you still look quite mean and gnarly.
Richard: Cool, good man. Now, tell me about Warwick Castle.
Adam: Well, here at Warwick Castle, we have over one thousand years of incredible jaw-dropping history. The oldest part of the castle goes back well over a thousand years, but what you see here today, Rich, mostly dates back to about 600 years ago and it pretty much remains untouched from then onwards till today.
Richard: So, what would it have been like to live here in medieval times?
Adam: Well, it would probably have been quite a smelly and dark place. The moats that you see down here would have actually not been filled with water, but with sewage draining from the castle.
Richard: Now, I was rather hoping someone would tell me how to use this sword. Do you mind?
Adam: Sadly, I'll be honest with you, it's not really my thing. But I know two gentlemen who will be able to help you out. They're just round the corner.
Richard: Over there?
Adam: Yep. Just round there. Good luck!
Richard: Great! Thank you. What a helpful chap!
Richard: Guys, guys, guys, guys! Hang on, guys, break it up, break it up! I've just been told that you're the guys to see about learning to use the sword. Can you show me a move?
Swordsman: Yes, of course. Well, first of all we need to get you in your on guard stance.
Richard: OK.
Swordsman: Put your left foot forwards and your right foot back turned out to the side and your sword up in front of you like this. Now what you're going to do is the attacking sword is going to come in, you're going to push it down and away and step in and cut.
Richard: No problem.
Swordsman: Think you can do that?
Richard: Step aside, my man. Here we go.
Swordsman: On guard!
Richard: That's quite easy. Very nice. Thanks very much! Is he going to be alright?
Swordsman: Oh, he'll be fine, don't worry.
Richard: Are you sure?
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/heritage-great
Shopping is Great - Part 2
Transcript
Small specialist shops can be found all over the country. The Lanes in Brighton are made up of a fabulous web of small streets with lots of quirky shops and boutiques. They’re a great place to discover original fashion, furniture and accessories…
But a shopping spree doesn’t have to involve visiting shops! British markets are really popular and sometimes in surprising places. This is Piccadilly Market at St James’ Church in central London, and not many people know it’s here.
Photographer Simon Weinstock runs a stall here.
Richard: Hi Simon. Tell me about your stall.
Simon: Well, I’ve been here 15 years on St James’ Market. This is my most popular image, I do lots of other images. This is a London bus going round Piccadilly circus with the old Underground sign, very iconic. I do the London Eye, I do the Houses of Parliament, terribly popular of course.
Richard: So who are your customers?
Simon: My customers come here from all over the world. I have Russians, lots of Americans, Chinese these days, Australians – you name it, they come here! Some of my work’s gone to Outer Mongolia, believe it or not.
Richard: And in your opinion, what makes Piccadilly Market so special?
Simon: It’s a very unique, small market. There’s only about 40 stalls here. It’s a very friendly market. Not that many people know about it – it’s a hidden gem! And there are lots of stalls that you can only buy the product here, they’re not available anywhere else in London, so that makes it very unusual.
Richard: What do you like about shopping in London?
Girl: I think, like, the variety of stuff and there’s always something different, there’s always something on the street, there’s always something new to buy.
Man: I like about shopping in London the old shop, like in Covent Gardens, the old shop.
Woman 1: I like the mixture of some expensive and some cheaper ones. I like.
Woman 2: Well, I think it’s just the variety of shops and places where you can go for shops.
Richard: Britain is great for shopping. There’s such variety, and there’s something for everyone. The only trouble is – there’s too much choice!
Small specialist shops can be found all over the country. The Lanes in Brighton are made up of a fabulous web of small streets with lots of quirky shops and boutiques. They’re a great place to discover original fashion, furniture and accessories…
But a shopping spree doesn’t have to involve visiting shops! British markets are really popular and sometimes in surprising places. This is Piccadilly Market at St James’ Church in central London, and not many people know it’s here.
Photographer Simon Weinstock runs a stall here.
Richard: Hi Simon. Tell me about your stall.
Simon: Well, I’ve been here 15 years on St James’ Market. This is my most popular image, I do lots of other images. This is a London bus going round Piccadilly circus with the old Underground sign, very iconic. I do the London Eye, I do the Houses of Parliament, terribly popular of course.
Richard: So who are your customers?
Simon: My customers come here from all over the world. I have Russians, lots of Americans, Chinese these days, Australians – you name it, they come here! Some of my work’s gone to Outer Mongolia, believe it or not.
Richard: And in your opinion, what makes Piccadilly Market so special?
Simon: It’s a very unique, small market. There’s only about 40 stalls here. It’s a very friendly market. Not that many people know about it – it’s a hidden gem! And there are lots of stalls that you can only buy the product here, they’re not available anywhere else in London, so that makes it very unusual.
Richard: What do you like about shopping in London?
Girl: I think, like, the variety of stuff and there’s always something different, there’s always something on the street, there’s always something new to buy.
Man: I like about shopping in London the old shop, like in Covent Gardens, the old shop.
Woman 1: I like the mixture of some expensive and some cheaper ones. I like.
Woman 2: Well, I think it’s just the variety of shops and places where you can go for shops.
Richard: Britain is great for shopping. There’s such variety, and there’s something for everyone. The only trouble is – there’s too much choice!
Shopping is Great - Part 1
Transcript
London is the shopping capital of the world. Every year millions of overseas visitors shop here. But what makes shopping here so great? There’s only one way to find out. I’m off to do some shopping – follow me!
At Harrods
Knightsbridge is famous for upmarket shopping. This is where the rich and famous come to buy… their socks. And this is the one and only Harrods… the ultimate in luxury. Even royalty shop here. If I’m lucky, I might see someone famous.
If only they had it in my size. Lovely! Thank you!
Done quite well there – what’s next? Taxi! Harvey Nichols, please.
At Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols – or ‘Harvey Nicks’ for short – is a great place for designer fashion.
Well, I had to buy couple of things… What?
At Hamleys
The biggest toy shop in the world – now you’re talking!
So cute… err… it’s not for me.
At Harrods
Knightsbridge is famous for upmarket shopping. This is where the rich and famous come to buy… their socks. And this is the one and only Harrods… the ultimate in luxury. Even royalty shop here. If I’m lucky, I might see someone famous.
If only they had it in my size. Lovely! Thank you!
Done quite well there – what’s next? Taxi! Harvey Nichols, please.
At Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols – or ‘Harvey Nicks’ for short – is a great place for designer fashion.
Well, I had to buy couple of things… What?
At Hamleys
The biggest toy shop in the world – now you’re talking!
So cute… err… it’s not for me.
Oxford Street
London’s Oxford Street is retail heaven. It’s got over 2 kilometres of shops to choose from… and, of course, Selfridges for shopping with style. Taxi!
Could you drop all this off home for me, please? I’m off to explore a different sort of shopping in Britain.
If you like shopping all under one roof, then there are big shopping centres all over Britain. The Olympic-sized shopping centre at Westfield, Stratford, is huge. With over 300 shops, it’s one of the largest shopping centres in Europe.
At Lock's
Great shopping isn’t just about big shops. Smaller shops can offer something special too. Tucked away in the heart of Piccadilly is a great shopping gem. Lock’s sell that must-have in gentlemen’s fashion: the hat! Lock’s opened in London in 1679. Their hats can be seen across the world. They pride themselves on their personal service.
Richard: Sue Simpson is a hat specialist. Hi Sue.
Sue: Oh, hi Richard.
Richard: Wow, a bowler hat, you don’t see many of those these days, do you?
Sue: Well, we don’t call it a ‘bowler’ here at Lock’s, we call it a ‘coke hat’ because it was invented in 1850 for Thomas Coke…
Richard: …by this very shop.
Sue: …by this very shop and we still call it a ‘coke’ to this day.
Richard: Ah, the classic top hat. When would I wear that?
Sue: That’s a beautiful silk top hat. You would wear that for a society wedding, or the time you see most of them is at Ascot, which is the famous race meeting in June.
Richard: So what’s your best-seller here at Lock’s?
Sue: Our best-seller would be a classic tweed cap or this trilby here, which is called a ‘Voyager’, and the novelty of this one…
Richard: …is it folds up so you can pop it into your luggage.
Sue: …pop it into your luggage.
Richard: Excellent. Is that a deerstalker?
Sue: Similar to a deerstalker, but this is a country cap with a fastening that goes over the top. And this was invented originally for wearing in open-top cars, but now it’s more commonly worn on the hills out shooting and this keeps the ears warm and stops it blowing away.
Richard: I like it; I’ll take this one.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/shopping-great
London’s Oxford Street is retail heaven. It’s got over 2 kilometres of shops to choose from… and, of course, Selfridges for shopping with style. Taxi!
Could you drop all this off home for me, please? I’m off to explore a different sort of shopping in Britain.
If you like shopping all under one roof, then there are big shopping centres all over Britain. The Olympic-sized shopping centre at Westfield, Stratford, is huge. With over 300 shops, it’s one of the largest shopping centres in Europe.
At Lock's
Great shopping isn’t just about big shops. Smaller shops can offer something special too. Tucked away in the heart of Piccadilly is a great shopping gem. Lock’s sell that must-have in gentlemen’s fashion: the hat! Lock’s opened in London in 1679. Their hats can be seen across the world. They pride themselves on their personal service.
Richard: Sue Simpson is a hat specialist. Hi Sue.
Sue: Oh, hi Richard.
Richard: Wow, a bowler hat, you don’t see many of those these days, do you?
Sue: Well, we don’t call it a ‘bowler’ here at Lock’s, we call it a ‘coke hat’ because it was invented in 1850 for Thomas Coke…
Richard: …by this very shop.
Sue: …by this very shop and we still call it a ‘coke’ to this day.
Richard: Ah, the classic top hat. When would I wear that?
Sue: That’s a beautiful silk top hat. You would wear that for a society wedding, or the time you see most of them is at Ascot, which is the famous race meeting in June.
Richard: So what’s your best-seller here at Lock’s?
Sue: Our best-seller would be a classic tweed cap or this trilby here, which is called a ‘Voyager’, and the novelty of this one…
Richard: …is it folds up so you can pop it into your luggage.
Sue: …pop it into your luggage.
Richard: Excellent. Is that a deerstalker?
Sue: Similar to a deerstalker, but this is a country cap with a fastening that goes over the top. And this was invented originally for wearing in open-top cars, but now it’s more commonly worn on the hills out shooting and this keeps the ears warm and stops it blowing away.
Richard: I like it; I’ll take this one.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/shopping-great
Sport is Great - Part 2
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/sport-great-part-2
Transcript
I’ve come to Weymouth and Portland Bay where you’ll find some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK. During the Olympics this incredible coastline will host 10 exciting sailing events from dinghy racing to windsurfing. The area is a natural open-air venue, which means there are plenty of places to watch the sailing from – like here.
This is the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and, thanks to the Olympics, it’s become a state-of-the-art facility for professional training, competitions and the local community… so everyone will benefit from the Olympics – even when it’s gone.
…..
Peter Allam works for LOCOG, the Olympic Organisers.
Richard: Peter, why has this stretch of coastline been chosen for Olympic sailing?
Peter: One thing we can always rely on at Weymouth and Portland is the wind... and you can probably just hear it whistling in the background so we get good wind. We also have fantastic waters here to which we can set the race courses, the good sea conditions are favourable, and the shape of the bay and the harbour here, within Portland Harbour, gives us plenty of opportunity to sail whatever the conditions.
Richard: And you're an Olympian yourself.
Peter: I've been lucky. Twice, I've been to the Olympics. The first time was in 1984, the second time was in '92, and I was very fortunate in '84 to win a bronze medal, although we were favourites for the gold, I'm very happy to have come away with a medal.
Richard: So what makes this facility so state of the art?
Peter: The great thing about this academy is that it caters for all ability levels, from the elite athletes to the first-time sailor. It also has plenty of space. You need space for lots of boats and lots of people.
Richard: All this sea air and talk of sailing has given me an idea!
…..
Snug! This is the Official Test Centre, next to the sailing academy. It offers something for everyone from professionals to beginners – like me. So, let’s see what this coastline has to offer.
Windsurfing instructor Tris Best is taking me out on the water.
Tris: That's it. Lovely job. And then hand over hand nice and gently when you're ready. No rush. Lovely job. And then just grab in the mast below the boom. Perfect! Well done.
Richard: Got it.
Tris. OK. Keep your knees nice and bent, back straight. That's how, nice and upright. Perfect. That's it. Perfect. Here we go. Too easy!
Oh, this is it! I'm getting there. Yes! A carve gybe! Oh, and a flare gybe! I'm all over it! Just flip a 180! Yes, that's a beautiful gust. Yeah, alright, OK, I admit it. I've got a little way to go when it comes to windsurfing... but Great Britain is so passionate about sport I think I'm going to try a few more of them. Now, where did I put my cricket bat?
I’ve come to Weymouth and Portland Bay where you’ll find some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK. During the Olympics this incredible coastline will host 10 exciting sailing events from dinghy racing to windsurfing. The area is a natural open-air venue, which means there are plenty of places to watch the sailing from – like here.
This is the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and, thanks to the Olympics, it’s become a state-of-the-art facility for professional training, competitions and the local community… so everyone will benefit from the Olympics – even when it’s gone.
…..
Peter Allam works for LOCOG, the Olympic Organisers.
Richard: Peter, why has this stretch of coastline been chosen for Olympic sailing?
Peter: One thing we can always rely on at Weymouth and Portland is the wind... and you can probably just hear it whistling in the background so we get good wind. We also have fantastic waters here to which we can set the race courses, the good sea conditions are favourable, and the shape of the bay and the harbour here, within Portland Harbour, gives us plenty of opportunity to sail whatever the conditions.
Richard: And you're an Olympian yourself.
Peter: I've been lucky. Twice, I've been to the Olympics. The first time was in 1984, the second time was in '92, and I was very fortunate in '84 to win a bronze medal, although we were favourites for the gold, I'm very happy to have come away with a medal.
Richard: So what makes this facility so state of the art?
Peter: The great thing about this academy is that it caters for all ability levels, from the elite athletes to the first-time sailor. It also has plenty of space. You need space for lots of boats and lots of people.
Richard: All this sea air and talk of sailing has given me an idea!
…..
Snug! This is the Official Test Centre, next to the sailing academy. It offers something for everyone from professionals to beginners – like me. So, let’s see what this coastline has to offer.
Windsurfing instructor Tris Best is taking me out on the water.
Tris: That's it. Lovely job. And then hand over hand nice and gently when you're ready. No rush. Lovely job. And then just grab in the mast below the boom. Perfect! Well done.
Richard: Got it.
Tris. OK. Keep your knees nice and bent, back straight. That's how, nice and upright. Perfect. That's it. Perfect. Here we go. Too easy!
Oh, this is it! I'm getting there. Yes! A carve gybe! Oh, and a flare gybe! I'm all over it! Just flip a 180! Yes, that's a beautiful gust. Yeah, alright, OK, I admit it. I've got a little way to go when it comes to windsurfing... but Great Britain is so passionate about sport I think I'm going to try a few more of them. Now, where did I put my cricket bat?
Sport is Great - Part 1
Transcript
Britain is a sport-loving nation. It’s the birthplace of some of the world’s favourite sports including cricket, rugby and football, and it’s the home of some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues.
From world-class football stadiums and Formula 1 circuits to the greatest arena of all, an Olympic village, Britain has it all.
…..
This is Silverstone Circuit, one of the world’s most famous motor sport venues. Every year hundreds of thousands of fans come here to watch some of the most exciting motor racing events on the planet.
Over the last 60 years this circuit has changed with the times and its most recent development is a new pit and paddock called the Silverstone Wing.
Richard Phillips is the Managing Director of Silverstone. He oversees everything that takes place here.
Richard: So what would you say to someone who's never been to a race before?
Richard Phillips: I think you have got to come to Silverstone. We have the biggest and most knowledgeable crowd in the world, 320,000 people over the weekend of a Grand Prix. It's the biggest outdoor event in the country.
All the great British names have driven here: Nigel Mansell, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and… me! I’ve always wanted to drive a Ferrari and what better place to do it than the home of British motor sport?
…..
Racing instructor Chris Ward is going to give me a high-speed driving lesson.
Chris: So, right click into second. Just nice and steady to begin with. Let me just check we're all clear behind. Circuit's clear, so we're free to pull out onto the circuit. Squeeze the throttle, let's give it some power... Power, power, power! Down the left-hand side. Let the car rev a little bit more before you change gear. Into fifth. That's it. Keep the power going. And more power, and more power. What's it feel like being on the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone?
Richard: It's a fantastic feeling, it really is.
…..
Britain is mad about sport. From hockey to sailing, basketball to athletics, and grass court tennis is a national obsession. Rugby was invented here, as was cricket, and then exported round the world.
London is also home to a tribute to a footballing legend...
This is Bobby Moore, one of the all-time greatest footballers, and behind me is Wembley Stadium, one of the all-time greatest sporting venues… and I’m about to get a peek behind closed doors.
The stadium has recently undergone a huge makeover. It’s home to the England National Football Team and the FA Cup Final. Wembley also hosts other sports like American football and big music concerts.
And with 90,000 seats to choose from there’s plenty of room for all the fans.
This is where it all happens. The world’s finest football players have given us some of history's greatest sporting moments on this very pitch.
The stadium is one kilometre all the way round and above me stands a 133 metre tall steel arch which is also 315 metres across. It’s the longest single piece of roof section in the world and you can see it on the other side of London. It also moves to allow light and air onto the pitch.
This is the Press Conference Room. Up to 190 members of the media fill these seats after every game to ask the world's most famous football players the burning questions we all want to hear. Oh, it's my turn!
But there’s no time to stop, there’s sport everywhere in Great Britain.
Britain is a sport-loving nation. It’s the birthplace of some of the world’s favourite sports including cricket, rugby and football, and it’s the home of some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues.
From world-class football stadiums and Formula 1 circuits to the greatest arena of all, an Olympic village, Britain has it all.
…..
This is Silverstone Circuit, one of the world’s most famous motor sport venues. Every year hundreds of thousands of fans come here to watch some of the most exciting motor racing events on the planet.
Over the last 60 years this circuit has changed with the times and its most recent development is a new pit and paddock called the Silverstone Wing.
Richard Phillips is the Managing Director of Silverstone. He oversees everything that takes place here.
Richard: So what would you say to someone who's never been to a race before?
Richard Phillips: I think you have got to come to Silverstone. We have the biggest and most knowledgeable crowd in the world, 320,000 people over the weekend of a Grand Prix. It's the biggest outdoor event in the country.
All the great British names have driven here: Nigel Mansell, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and… me! I’ve always wanted to drive a Ferrari and what better place to do it than the home of British motor sport?
…..
Racing instructor Chris Ward is going to give me a high-speed driving lesson.
Chris: So, right click into second. Just nice and steady to begin with. Let me just check we're all clear behind. Circuit's clear, so we're free to pull out onto the circuit. Squeeze the throttle, let's give it some power... Power, power, power! Down the left-hand side. Let the car rev a little bit more before you change gear. Into fifth. That's it. Keep the power going. And more power, and more power. What's it feel like being on the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone?
Richard: It's a fantastic feeling, it really is.
…..
Britain is mad about sport. From hockey to sailing, basketball to athletics, and grass court tennis is a national obsession. Rugby was invented here, as was cricket, and then exported round the world.
London is also home to a tribute to a footballing legend...
This is Bobby Moore, one of the all-time greatest footballers, and behind me is Wembley Stadium, one of the all-time greatest sporting venues… and I’m about to get a peek behind closed doors.
The stadium has recently undergone a huge makeover. It’s home to the England National Football Team and the FA Cup Final. Wembley also hosts other sports like American football and big music concerts.
And with 90,000 seats to choose from there’s plenty of room for all the fans.
This is where it all happens. The world’s finest football players have given us some of history's greatest sporting moments on this very pitch.
The stadium is one kilometre all the way round and above me stands a 133 metre tall steel arch which is also 315 metres across. It’s the longest single piece of roof section in the world and you can see it on the other side of London. It also moves to allow light and air onto the pitch.
This is the Press Conference Room. Up to 190 members of the media fill these seats after every game to ask the world's most famous football players the burning questions we all want to hear. Oh, it's my turn!
But there’s no time to stop, there’s sport everywhere in Great Britain.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/sport-great
Green is Great - Part 2
Transcript
It looks like something from outer space, but it’s a wind turbine and it’s revolutionary!
Wind power has been around for centuries, but this is something new. Big wind farms have managed to harness the power of the wind off-shore or on high ground where it’s windy, but what about places where there’s not so much space or wind?
Award-winning British company ‘Quiet Revolution’ have developed a turbine with an upright axis which can be put practically anywhere and is near silent.
Harnessing wind energy in urban areas and tight spaces is a challenge. As wind travels past buildings, it changes speed and is difficult to catch. That’s where this micro turbine is clever. The turbine is small and so catches small wind… But it surprisingly generates a lot of power.
…..
And all that energy can be used on site, so it’s good for the environment and it saves money! Plus, I think it looks like a work of art; I wouldn’t mind one in my back garden!
The sun is another important source of renewable energy. Solar Century is a leading solar energy company. The panels use the sun's rays to generate power. This technology is becoming more efficient as a way of creating energy.
Behind me is the incredible Olympic Park where much of the action will take place during London’s Olympic Games.
This whole park has been designed to be the greenest Olympic Park in the history of the Olympic Games. Protecting and preserving the environment has been a priority during the planning, construction and building stages. The legacy of this ‘environmentally friendly’ park will last for a very long time.
…..
David Stubbs is Head of Environment and Sustainability for LOCOG, the Olympic organisers.
Richard: This is really impressive. What was here before?
David: Polluted rivers, contaminated land, broken-down factories. There were a few small industries here, but largely speaking it was a vast area of emptiness.
Richard: David, give me some examples of why these are the greenest Games ever.
David: We put a lot of attention to the buildings, to the design, to all the materials used in them, to the energy that was used in them, so there's a lot of attention to making sure that we minimise waste upfront and then we recycle and reuse as much as possible. Across the board, I think we've done a lot of different things which add up to a sustainable Games.
It looks like something from outer space, but it’s a wind turbine and it’s revolutionary!
Wind power has been around for centuries, but this is something new. Big wind farms have managed to harness the power of the wind off-shore or on high ground where it’s windy, but what about places where there’s not so much space or wind?
Award-winning British company ‘Quiet Revolution’ have developed a turbine with an upright axis which can be put practically anywhere and is near silent.
Harnessing wind energy in urban areas and tight spaces is a challenge. As wind travels past buildings, it changes speed and is difficult to catch. That’s where this micro turbine is clever. The turbine is small and so catches small wind… But it surprisingly generates a lot of power.
…..
And all that energy can be used on site, so it’s good for the environment and it saves money! Plus, I think it looks like a work of art; I wouldn’t mind one in my back garden!
The sun is another important source of renewable energy. Solar Century is a leading solar energy company. The panels use the sun's rays to generate power. This technology is becoming more efficient as a way of creating energy.
Behind me is the incredible Olympic Park where much of the action will take place during London’s Olympic Games.
This whole park has been designed to be the greenest Olympic Park in the history of the Olympic Games. Protecting and preserving the environment has been a priority during the planning, construction and building stages. The legacy of this ‘environmentally friendly’ park will last for a very long time.
…..
David Stubbs is Head of Environment and Sustainability for LOCOG, the Olympic organisers.
Richard: This is really impressive. What was here before?
David: Polluted rivers, contaminated land, broken-down factories. There were a few small industries here, but largely speaking it was a vast area of emptiness.
Richard: David, give me some examples of why these are the greenest Games ever.
David: We put a lot of attention to the buildings, to the design, to all the materials used in them, to the energy that was used in them, so there's a lot of attention to making sure that we minimise waste upfront and then we recycle and reuse as much as possible. Across the board, I think we've done a lot of different things which add up to a sustainable Games.
Green is Great - Part 1
Transcript
Green issues are really important to Great Britain. The people here work really hard to protect the environment.
The nation is trying to reduce the impact their daily lives have on the planet, which in turn means reducing their carbon footprint. Let’s find out how…
.....
Britain has the largest indoor rainforest in the world, which is used for environmental research. It’s also a world leader in wind energy at sea and on land.
And the London 2012 Olympics are the first truly sustainable ever, which means the environmental benefit of the Games will last for a very long time.
This is the Eden Project in Cornwall. It’s a place where green ideas are explored and built to try and reduce the impact on the environment and it’s been so successful that tourists visit from around the world.
The Eden Project started life over ten years ago as an old china clay pit; it was just a hole in the ground. The big bubble shaped area, or biome, is twice as high as Big Ben and works as a greenhouse home for some of the world's most important plants.
The Eden Project features a number of different biomes. These ecosystems are maintained to simulate different climatic conditions that are found in different parts of the world. I met up with Hetty Ninnis, who works here.
Richard: Hetty, what’s the idea behind the Eden Project?
Hetty: So, the Eden Project is here to show people how we can live with the planet without destroying it.
Richard: And tell me about this biome.
Hetty: So, this is the tropical rainforest biome. It's a garden and it's here to show people sort of where everyday products they might find in the supermarket come from, so they can see where bananas come from, where chocolate comes from.
Richard: And you recycle water here?
Hetty: Yes, we do. We collect water up the top of the pit and then we use that to water our plants 3 days a week in here. So do you fancy coming along and pollinating some plants?
Richard: Why not? Lead the way.
.....
Richard: So, Hetty, what are we doing?
Hetty: We're going to be pollinating the jade vine, a very rare plant from the Philippines.
Richard: So, how are we going to pollinate it?
Hetty: OK, out in the wild it's fruit bats that do the pollinating, so today we're going to pretend to be fruit bats.
Richard: We're going to pretend to be a fruit bat? O... kay. How do we do that?
Hetty: We're going to do that by, if you can see here on these little flowers, when a fruit bat comes down, it hangs upside down from up here, and he pushes his face into that flower, and as he does, the pollen gets pushed out of here, so we take a little bit of pollen on the paintbrush and then move on to the second flower, taking that pollen with us and then hopefully it will set fruit in a few months' time.
Richard: And this is a very green and efficient way of doing things?
Hetty: Well, it's a really important job because this plant is so rare in the wild now that we need to make sure we've got seeds so we can keep it going in the future.
Richard: Well, since I'm up here, I'd better have a go, so can I pollinate it?
Hetty: OK, if you feel confident, please have a go.
Richard: I wouldn't say confident. It's a rare plant, right, alright? Let's be very careful.
Hetty: Be gentle.
Richard: I'll give it a go. Just dab that in there and pop that in there. Yes, yes. That's pollinated.
…..
The Eden Project tries to be as self-sufficient with energy as possible. They are world leaders in green technology.
This is WEEE man and he’s a monster! He’s made entirely of the rubbish that one person will throw away in their lifetime; that's a lot of waste!
Much of the energy at the Eden Project comes from green sources, but there are also exciting developments in creating energy from sources of power that won't run out. Renewable energy.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/green-great
Green issues are really important to Great Britain. The people here work really hard to protect the environment.
The nation is trying to reduce the impact their daily lives have on the planet, which in turn means reducing their carbon footprint. Let’s find out how…
.....
Britain has the largest indoor rainforest in the world, which is used for environmental research. It’s also a world leader in wind energy at sea and on land.
And the London 2012 Olympics are the first truly sustainable ever, which means the environmental benefit of the Games will last for a very long time.
This is the Eden Project in Cornwall. It’s a place where green ideas are explored and built to try and reduce the impact on the environment and it’s been so successful that tourists visit from around the world.
The Eden Project started life over ten years ago as an old china clay pit; it was just a hole in the ground. The big bubble shaped area, or biome, is twice as high as Big Ben and works as a greenhouse home for some of the world's most important plants.
The Eden Project features a number of different biomes. These ecosystems are maintained to simulate different climatic conditions that are found in different parts of the world. I met up with Hetty Ninnis, who works here.
Richard: Hetty, what’s the idea behind the Eden Project?
Hetty: So, the Eden Project is here to show people how we can live with the planet without destroying it.
Richard: And tell me about this biome.
Hetty: So, this is the tropical rainforest biome. It's a garden and it's here to show people sort of where everyday products they might find in the supermarket come from, so they can see where bananas come from, where chocolate comes from.
Richard: And you recycle water here?
Hetty: Yes, we do. We collect water up the top of the pit and then we use that to water our plants 3 days a week in here. So do you fancy coming along and pollinating some plants?
Richard: Why not? Lead the way.
.....
Richard: So, Hetty, what are we doing?
Hetty: We're going to be pollinating the jade vine, a very rare plant from the Philippines.
Richard: So, how are we going to pollinate it?
Hetty: OK, out in the wild it's fruit bats that do the pollinating, so today we're going to pretend to be fruit bats.
Richard: We're going to pretend to be a fruit bat? O... kay. How do we do that?
Hetty: We're going to do that by, if you can see here on these little flowers, when a fruit bat comes down, it hangs upside down from up here, and he pushes his face into that flower, and as he does, the pollen gets pushed out of here, so we take a little bit of pollen on the paintbrush and then move on to the second flower, taking that pollen with us and then hopefully it will set fruit in a few months' time.
Richard: And this is a very green and efficient way of doing things?
Hetty: Well, it's a really important job because this plant is so rare in the wild now that we need to make sure we've got seeds so we can keep it going in the future.
Richard: Well, since I'm up here, I'd better have a go, so can I pollinate it?
Hetty: OK, if you feel confident, please have a go.
Richard: I wouldn't say confident. It's a rare plant, right, alright? Let's be very careful.
Hetty: Be gentle.
Richard: I'll give it a go. Just dab that in there and pop that in there. Yes, yes. That's pollinated.
…..
The Eden Project tries to be as self-sufficient with energy as possible. They are world leaders in green technology.
This is WEEE man and he’s a monster! He’s made entirely of the rubbish that one person will throw away in their lifetime; that's a lot of waste!
Much of the energy at the Eden Project comes from green sources, but there are also exciting developments in creating energy from sources of power that won't run out. Renewable energy.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-episodes/green-great
Creativity is Great - Part 2
Transcript
Another side of British culture that attracts tourists is the range of visual arts on show.
There are over 300 world-class museums and art galleries just in London. This is Tate Britain - right here, in Millbank. It’s the home of British art from the 1500s right up to the present day - let’s go take a look.
Tate Britain is the world centre for British art. Some of the greatest artists of all time are British and this gallery has them all under one roof.
Tate Britain is one of four Tate galleries across the country, and the oldest. Over the years, it’s been threatened by bombing in the war and flooding from the Thames. There are hundreds of works of art here.
These are some of the earliest paintings in the gallery, including this portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Penelope Curtis is the director of Tate Britain. It’s her job to decide which art pieces are exhibited.
Richard: Penelope, tell me about Tate Britain.
Penelope: Tate Britain is the national gallery of British art. It was founded by Henry Tate about a hundred years ago.
Richard: And what does your role involve?
Penelope: I'm the director, and that means looking after everything, but particularly the collections and the displays that you can see in the gallery.
Richard: And you have some fabulous pictures here, including this very popular one.
Penelope: They say this is our most popular painting. It's hard to know, but it certainly sells the most postcards, but that's rather an old-fashioned measure.
Richard: What is it about British art that's so exciting?
Penelope: Well, what's particular about British art is that we're an island nation, so things become very concentrated here. People travel from all over the world to be here; other people never leave at all, so things that you might see in the rest of the world become more concentrated in Britain.
Richard: What's the future of British art and creativity?
Penelope: I think the fact that we don't know is what's exciting about it. Here, we can make history speak to the present and inform what people are doing now, and that's one of our important roles.
And the future of British art is bold and exciting.
.....
Artistic creativity in Great Britain isn’t always found at museums or galleries; sometimes it’s worth taking a closer look at the walls around the city.
Street art used to be a form of protest and was often painted over by the authorities. These days it’s a celebrated art form. Some pieces are worth a fortune.
.....
Another art form that is booming in Britain is building computer games.
The UK produces more than a quarter of the world’s computer games and independent developer Blitz Games Studios here in Leamington Spa has created some top sellers. Popular games like Puss in Boots, Karaoke Revolution and The Biggest Loser are developed here. Blitz Games Studios have a passion for games, technology and creativity.
Philip Oliver is a game developer and set up Blitz Games Studios with his brother.
Richard: Philip, how did this all start?
Philip: My twin brother and I, Andrew, started playing video games in the early eighties. We got ourselves a 8-bit computer and started writing games just as a hobby but, by the mid-eighties, we were actually able to sell games. We set up Blitz Games Studios and started employing people with the idea we would make games for a global audience, and today we have over 220 talented, creative people making video games for all the biggest publishers in the world.
Richard: What makes games development so creative?
Philip: Games are just a fantastic medium. I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely hooked, and I hope so many other people are. We are the entertainment of the twenty-first century. There are no limits.
Do you know, when it comes to computer games, I don’t think I'm very good at building them. I'm much better at playing them. Yes! Come on! Go up, up, up, up! Get the star! Go on! Go - Oh, no, no, ah.
Another side of British culture that attracts tourists is the range of visual arts on show.
There are over 300 world-class museums and art galleries just in London. This is Tate Britain - right here, in Millbank. It’s the home of British art from the 1500s right up to the present day - let’s go take a look.
Tate Britain is the world centre for British art. Some of the greatest artists of all time are British and this gallery has them all under one roof.
Tate Britain is one of four Tate galleries across the country, and the oldest. Over the years, it’s been threatened by bombing in the war and flooding from the Thames. There are hundreds of works of art here.
These are some of the earliest paintings in the gallery, including this portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Penelope Curtis is the director of Tate Britain. It’s her job to decide which art pieces are exhibited.
Richard: Penelope, tell me about Tate Britain.
Penelope: Tate Britain is the national gallery of British art. It was founded by Henry Tate about a hundred years ago.
Richard: And what does your role involve?
Penelope: I'm the director, and that means looking after everything, but particularly the collections and the displays that you can see in the gallery.
Richard: And you have some fabulous pictures here, including this very popular one.
Penelope: They say this is our most popular painting. It's hard to know, but it certainly sells the most postcards, but that's rather an old-fashioned measure.
Richard: What is it about British art that's so exciting?
Penelope: Well, what's particular about British art is that we're an island nation, so things become very concentrated here. People travel from all over the world to be here; other people never leave at all, so things that you might see in the rest of the world become more concentrated in Britain.
Richard: What's the future of British art and creativity?
Penelope: I think the fact that we don't know is what's exciting about it. Here, we can make history speak to the present and inform what people are doing now, and that's one of our important roles.
And the future of British art is bold and exciting.
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Artistic creativity in Great Britain isn’t always found at museums or galleries; sometimes it’s worth taking a closer look at the walls around the city.
Street art used to be a form of protest and was often painted over by the authorities. These days it’s a celebrated art form. Some pieces are worth a fortune.
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Another art form that is booming in Britain is building computer games.
The UK produces more than a quarter of the world’s computer games and independent developer Blitz Games Studios here in Leamington Spa has created some top sellers. Popular games like Puss in Boots, Karaoke Revolution and The Biggest Loser are developed here. Blitz Games Studios have a passion for games, technology and creativity.
Philip Oliver is a game developer and set up Blitz Games Studios with his brother.
Richard: Philip, how did this all start?
Philip: My twin brother and I, Andrew, started playing video games in the early eighties. We got ourselves a 8-bit computer and started writing games just as a hobby but, by the mid-eighties, we were actually able to sell games. We set up Blitz Games Studios and started employing people with the idea we would make games for a global audience, and today we have over 220 talented, creative people making video games for all the biggest publishers in the world.
Richard: What makes games development so creative?
Philip: Games are just a fantastic medium. I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely hooked, and I hope so many other people are. We are the entertainment of the twenty-first century. There are no limits.
Do you know, when it comes to computer games, I don’t think I'm very good at building them. I'm much better at playing them. Yes! Come on! Go up, up, up, up! Get the star! Go on! Go - Oh, no, no, ah.
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