Middlesex exists - its official


Our new flag looks good

By London Leprecahaun
February 4 2014

London Leprechaun reports on the first of our 150th Anniversary events when the County of Middlesex was endorsed by the Queen, the Church of England and Russell Grant and Steve Finn got the loudest cheer of the day.

It was one of those beautiful winter days, when the bright blue sky and mild weather gives you one of the first hints of spring. Apparently, it was a similar day back in 1864 when we were founded. One of many coincidences between then and now. But walking up to the church I did wonder why we were founded in the middle of winter. Yorkshire apparently were founded in the middle of summer and celebrated their 150th with news of the win over us last year.

Approaching the church I noticed a new Middlesex flag flying brightly over the church in a cloudless blue sky. Lovely. Church was packed – I wasn’t late but could only find a seat at the back near a pillar so could not see too much of the proceedings and who were in the VIP seats at the front. But I was struck by the number of people – presumably Middlesex members – who I have never seen before. Though there were many familiar supporters there as well. We were also honoured by the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of London representing the Queen, and more importantly from our point of view – the ArchDeacon of Middlesex. As the Parish Priest said if the Church of England and the Queen recognizes the County, there can be no doubt we exist! Of which more a bit later.

After the service and narrowly avoiding being run over by Mike Gatting - in his car I hasten to add – champagne awaited in the Long Room, There was a nice buzz and lots more people I actually recognized. Some interesting memorabilia was in the room; I was struck by the cheque for winning the Championship in 1993 – just £47,000 only 20 years ago. That won’t buy you much of a player these days. What does that say about the economics of cricket or the country for that matter!

150th_championship_cheque_1993

1993 Championship cheque - a 2014 cheque would be good!

Only two speeches but good ones. Ian Lovett happily announced Sam Robson's 100m for the Lions and then went through some of the coincidences round our early history and now. Apart from the weather, they included: our first competitive match in 1864 was against Sussex. Out first opponents this year are Sussex. We won the 1864 by an innings and a lot. One of the Walker brothers took 10 wickets in the match; our last ten wicket taker was at the party today. Let’s hope that coincidence continues in a few months.

150th_Lovett_announcingRobbocentury_400

Ian Lovett announcing Robbo 100 

He then went on to name some of our many England players at the party today. All got good applause but the biggest cheer of the afternoon was when he mentioned that Steve Finn was in the room. As Ian said he could easily have avoided the attention by staying on holiday, but he certainly knows he has all the support he needs here at Middlesex.

150th_Finny_looking_good

Finny looking smart and sharp

 

Russell Grant then gave an impassioned and very well informed talk about Middlesex history and why there is no doubt that we are most definitely still a County. From early references in pre Saxon times to the wording of the Act that abolished the County Council the County has had legal backing for many years. And the best bit is that Surrey was actually the Southern Region of Middlesex at one point. Listen to the full talk on Audio Boo and get inspired to add Middlesex to every reference and address in the County. And be able to answer anyone who suggests we are no longer a County. Middlesex exists and that is official. And nice though the new flag is, it would be even nicer if the flag flying over Lords next year has a Championship pennant look about it. If the mood at the party was anything to go by it’s a shoe in!

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Middlesex exists - its official
Discussion started by Middlesex till we die , 04/02/2014 23:17
Middlesex till we die
04/02/2014 23:17
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:27:18:59:20 by BarmierKev.

adelaide
05/02/2014 00:30
Is this thread meant as a wind-up-Adelaide affair?

I won't repeat what I've said elsewhere. Believing this stuff would not increase my support and feeling for the club one iota.

Apart from that (Mrs Lincoln), nice report.


Adelaide

Seaxe_Man
05/02/2014 14:18
A very good report LL. Underlining what many true Middlesaxons have always believed.

You cannot keep a good man down. Only the political/media class and their sychophants can think otherwise.

Oddly. Berkshire, CCwise does'nt exixt either. Yet to hear the media/pol class refer to it as West London or does'nt exist etc.

But in the case of those ignoramuses, only a matter of time methinks.

Like you, I was surprised at the number of members I did'nt recognise.

This I suppose is good news, as it demonstrates the depth of support, even if not at the ground.

selincourt
05/02/2014 14:25
Quote:
adelaide
Is this thread meant as a wind-up-Adelaide affair?
I won't repeat what I've said elsewhere. Believing this stuff would not increase my support and feeling for the club one iota.
Adelaide

Adelaide, methinks you do protest too much.
The club is called Middlesex, get over it.

adelaide
05/02/2014 14:36
Berkshire and Middlesex both still exist as ceremonial counties, which basically means they have a Lord Lieutenant for the Queen to say hallo to.

But back in the real world, Berkshire's components were not incorporated in any other county. They became authorities with all the powers of counties in their own right. Given the lack of an alternative, it's not surprising that people will refer to Berkshire, and of course its loss would be much regretted by fans of rhyming slang.

Middlesex's component areas were incorporated in other counties, in 1889 or 1964. Claiming that Islington, Southgate, Potters Bar or Wembley are part of a current day Middlesex is to deny the facts of what they are currently part of, and have been for the majority of their residents' lifetimes. The world changes and we adapt to that, rather than clinging onto a structure that suited the Victorians (and even that didn't include Islington!).

Now if Middlesex played a role in rhyming slang...


Adelaide

selincourt
05/02/2014 15:38
Unfortunately, Middlesex is no longer a ceremonial county, which is surprising as the county itself has never been abolished. Interestingly (well it is to me) I have a copy of my grandmother's birth certificate (There are long generation gaps in my family). The certificate states that she was born in 1880, in Holborn in the County of Middlesex. Her father was a blacksmith.
The term 'Middlesex' refers to the county of that name, not any other area. Perhaps you would prefer the name to be changed to reflect modern realities ?

adelaide
05/02/2014 16:42
Selincourt

Belive it or not, I agree with much of what you say. Where do you get the idea that I would want to rename the club? I am fine with it being named after the historical county. Just not with the pretence that the historical county still exists, except as an emotional thing, today. If anyone has to "get over" anything, it is the people who believe that!

You're right that Middlesex is not a ceremonial county BTW. My mistake. Berkshire still is.

Any residents of Holborn, Islington or wherever might be a little bit interested to learn that their homes were once in Middlesex, but I suspect that most would regard it as an interesting bit of history rather than anything of relevance to their lives.

Pimlico is another matter, of course, being a separate country...


Adelaide

selincourt
05/02/2014 17:10
Fair enough Adelaide, however, history seems to be more important to you than you maintain. Why else would you refer to North London's most important club, Arsenal, as the South London gypsies ? Arsenal is now in North London (Middlesex), get over it. You wouldn't want us to think that you had anything against immigrants ?



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:05:17:33:53 by selincourt.

BarmierKev
05/02/2014 17:22
Back to the event in question. Due to personal reasons I couldn't attend. It was good to hear of various goings on and shame I missed it. I'm very impressed Hi Fi turning up esoecially as the only reason for being this side of the hemisphere is the selectors perception of him being unselectable.

Seems good time had by all and looking forward to lunch event end of March.

Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele

adelaide
05/02/2014 17:37
Quote:
selincourt
Fair enough Adelaide, however, history seems to be more important to you than you maintain. Why else would you refer to North London's most important club, Arsenal, as the South London gypsies ? Arsenal is now in North London (Middlesex), get over it.

Fair comment, Selincourt - the difference is that in doing so I'm not being serious!

History is important and sometimes indispensable in understanding current day issues (Ireland a good example). I don't think Middlesex's old form really has the same resonance or relevance.

Talking of history, someone has dug up a film of Southgate in 1950 or thereabouts at

[www.youtube.com]

At one point the view over towards Barnet is described, quite accurately, as being towards Hertfordshire!


Adelaide



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:05:17:38:26 by adelaide.

selincourt
05/02/2014 18:30
Adelaide, thank you very much for the link provided, I have watched the film about Southgate with great interest. It shows how much we owe to those who have come before and who left such a rich heritage. It's amusing to note that foxes were considered rare in 1950. It was good to see the Walker Brothers' ground. Also glad to see my old school's sports ground at Winchmore Hill, little did I think when freezing playing football there, that I would become a liveryman of the Stationers' Company !

adelaide
05/02/2014 22:19
Scott Walker was the outstanding brother IIRC...

Of the green spaces featured in the film, we've lost the Stationers ground (the only place I scored two goals in a school match) to Sainsbury's, The Grange and the Minchenden playing fields to housing, The Wilderness (which I'm too young to remember) to the Technical College and probably others I have overlooked. Now the council wants to nick part of the historic Grovelands estate for a new primary school.

At least The Woodman survives.

The other things which jumped out from the film were the lack of traffic, and more particularly parked cars and the - how shall I put it? - almost complete lack of diversity!

All of these had a London postal address, even when they were indubitably part of Middlesex.


Adelaide

Shots1992
13/02/2014 04:24
I think the County badge says it all. 3 very sharp single edge axes!

Beeamazed
13/02/2014 08:42
I see due to recent events plain old
Staines has reverted to its full title of
Staines upon Thames.
I fear it could change again pretty soon to
Staines under Thames...

chunkyinargyll
13/02/2014 09:07
Thames-

Gets rid of stubborn, hard to remove Staines.

Jonathan Winsky
20/04/2014 10:05
BBC have posted an article about county flags, and it seems like there is a lot of passion around the country regarding the existence of counties.

Middlesex is mentioned twice. I dispute the statement that the sword on Essex's flag is a seax, as I thought the sword is called a scimitar. However, a Google search shows that many people say it is indeed a seax and should not be confused with a scimitar.

adelaide
20/04/2014 12:16
I saw the article, JW. It made a great thing of Eric Pickles saying that the government recognised Middlesex (etc.). Naturally the article failed to mention any practical implications that such recognition had - probably because there are none!

I find it a useful rule of thumb - if Eric Pickles says something, the opposite must be true...


Adelaide

Haringey Racer
20/04/2014 13:04
Quote:
adelaide
I saw the article, JW. It made a great thing of Eric Pickles saying that the government recognised Middlesex (etc.). Naturally the article failed to mention any practical implications that such recognition had - probably because there are none!
I find it a useful rule of thumb - if Eric Pickles says something, the opposite must be true...


Adelaide

Middlesex's existence would appear to be the proverbial exception that proves that rule.

Seaxe_Man
21/04/2014 16:19
A bit more history. One of Middlesex's early grounds was the Cattle Market in Islington. Pre 1888 certainly in Middlesex.

The ECB and it's predesessors still use the 1888 boundaries for all counties and ignore the frankstein's created by the political numpties for their (definitely not ours) (bigger till to get your hand stuck in) agenda. So there.

Berkshire therefore retains it's integrity as a Minor County.

The name of that comp is now called the Unicorn Championship I think, rather than Minor County.

Jonathan Winsky
23/04/2014 09:13
A Twitter account named @MiddlesexLondon has written (here and here) that the Government have announced that 'Welcome to Middlesex' signs will be erected at some of the county's borders. That would be a good idea, as many other counties have similar signs.

adelaide
23/04/2014 11:08
It appears to say "can be erected", not "will be erected", JW. That means if someone will pay.

I'm pretty sure there is a "County of Middlesex" sign still there at the top of Osidge Lane, just as it approaches Chase Side, so I suspect there has never been a ban on "Welcome to Middlesex" signs. But then there is no ban on "Welcome to Hardy Country" either! (How about Welcome to SWC Country for Surrey?).

I think there is an Enfield sign somewhere in Grange Park, presumably based on pre-1965 Enfield. Nobody thought it worth spending money taking them down, perhaps, though these days the scrap value would probably justify it.

The border between Enfield (ex-Middlesex) and Barnet (ex-Herts) runs along or near Chase Side and Cockfosters Road for some distance, though for some reason Enfield has a peninsula in the form of Hadley Wood, which I always think of as Barnet. Part of what I think of as Southgate actually falls within Barnet. Both sides of the border look, feel and quack like parts of London of course. The historic boundaries probably reflect ancient patterns of land ownership, especially (I think I once read) monastic land ownership. Local history in any shape or form is usually pretty interesting, whether or not it is really relevant to today.


Adelaide

selincourt
23/04/2014 15:41
Although most of Barnet is in Hertfordshire, Friern Barnet is, of course, in Middlesex.

Jonathan Winsky
23/04/2014 15:51
The Government have published an article about the allowance for county signs to be erected, and the only person quoted in the article other than Eric Pickles is Russell Grant.

BeefyRoberts
23/04/2014 15:58
Was in the bank earlier,a guy in front was chatting to his mate saying 'its about time they re-introduced the boundary signs so we can see where Middlesex starts.His mate said what a great idea.
Shows there is feelings about our great county.
The bank was in Uxbridge,Middlesex.

adelaide
23/04/2014 16:14
Well, well, well - this document really exists. Has central government really got nothing better to spend our money on? Seems to me it is a smokescreen for Pickles, whose legislation, described in fluent Newspeak as "localism", is making it impossible for local communities to have any real say in where development takes place! Remove the power and give back cuddly counties...

I like this bit: "The 39 counties of England have mostly existed largely unchanged since before 1066." That implies that few of them, if any, are totally unchanged.
Whether we really want to hark back to an era when nearly all our ancestors would have been serfs with no rights is a moot point but clearly some want to.

The bit about "instant means of reference" seems to put the thing on a par with Hardy country and the like.

The maps are nice, but then I've always been a sucker for maps.


Adelaide

adelaide
23/04/2014 16:23
The other interesting point is that the only counties explicitly referenced are ones which no longer serve an administrative function. I can see why - too confusing. So presumably signs could not be put on Waterloo Bridge to tell us we are entering Middlesex, but not to tell us we are about to enter Surrey. Discrimination!


Adelaide

selincourt
23/04/2014 17:08
Quote:
adelaide
Whether we really want to hark back to an era when nearly all our ancestors would have been serfs with no rights is a moot point but clearly some want to.
Adelaide

Your cage has certainly been rattled. No-one is suggesting a return to serfdom (apart from the EU empire), merely a recognition of traditional counties, which evolved over a millennium, in an increasingly impersonal world.

adelaide
23/04/2014 17:42
Cage rattled, mind boggled, whatever...

If they evolved over a millennium, Selly, which version should be the definitive one, and why?


Adelaide

selincourt
23/04/2014 18:14
There is no definitive version, we learn through trial and error.

The Diamond ruled ok
23/04/2014 20:22
Nothing wrong with signs on historical boundaries.If they were erected it would give me something to smile at rather than flicking the Surrey ones the v's every time I pass them on seemingly every road into that poxy county.

adelaide
23/04/2014 21:31
Be fair, Diamond. It does give you fair warning to ensure the car windows are closed, so you don't have to fumigate it subsequently.


Adelaide

adelaide
23/04/2014 21:32
Quote:
selincourt
There is no definitive version, we learn through trial and error.

Ooh, sounds like another phrase for "local government reorganisation", Selly!


Adelaide

selincourt
23/04/2014 22:09
As Ian Hislop has just summed up in his peroration at the end of his series 'Olden Days, the Power of the Past in Britain', at it best the past is used to interrogate the present in the hope of a better future.

adelaide
24/04/2014 10:25
Selly

I wonder if that quote will turn up in Pseuds' Corner!

I only caught a bit of one of the programmes. From a review I saw it seemed that one of his themes was that what we "use from the past" is as much myth as reality. I suppose the other related dictum is that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. So what you have from history may sometimes lead you to do the opposite rather than do what was done in history.



Adelaide

Seaxe_Man
24/04/2014 11:07
You want to see Middlesex signs Adelaide. Try Oxhey Lane. A County of Middlesex sign has been erected by Harrow Council many moons ago.

There is another near Stanmore Cricket Club. These clearly separate Middlesx and Hertfordshire.

Also Hounslow Council are on board. They have erected one at Kew Bridge as you turn left towards Brentford. (former County Town B4 Tories aka 1964)

Hillingdon Council Beefy, had a Middlesex sign by Mount Vernon Hospital and one at the back of Uxbridge on the road to Iver.

They were remeved at the behest of Lieber, who used the loss of the 'Freedom Pass' as a scare tactic to get control of Hillingdon Council.

There is still a Middlesex Suite at the Civic Centre though.

At Enfield a few years back, police where called when an argument on this subject led to fisticuffs in the Council Chamber.

Still some red blooded Middlesex Men over there then.

Ray Winstone was born in Enfield though a Wetspam fan. Shudda been Totti or the @#$%& I wudda thought.

If he had waded in on the right side, wudda helped.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:24:11:14:10 by Seaxe_Man.

Seaxe_Man
24/04/2014 11:11
Your cage has certainly been rattled. No-one is suggesting a return to serfdom (apart from the EU empire), merely a recognition of traditional counties, which evolved over a millennium, in an increasingly impersonal world.




Good post Selincourt. especially the EU serfdom.

The plebs are gradually waking up to the reality that they have been conned by the political class serf masters this past 40 years.

They collect we pay.

adelaide
24/04/2014 11:56
SM

Voters have always been conned. But most of us wouldn't have had the vote until comparatively recently. No need to con us then as we couldn't do anything about it anyway.

Selly - I was merely making the point that boundaries which were set largely on the basis of how the king and the cronies had divided up the land between them were perhaps less worthy of "worship" because of that. The people had no say in it whatsoever.

I couldn't see the Kew Bridge sign on Google Street Map but it might be that a HGV is obscuring it. The Enfield signs I referred to predate the GLC. If a council has actually paid for new signs, more fool them. Somehow I doubt it would have featured in a manifesto!

Incidentally, another branch of government is encouraging councils to declutter by removing unnecessary road signs. Not very joined up, I fear...


Adelaide

Seaxe_Man
24/04/2014 12:15
I can assure you Adelaide, the Kew Bridge sign is there.

Seen it many times on the way back from either Kew Gardens on a 65 bus or driving back from Richmond Cricket Club.

If memory serves me correctly. It states 'you are entering the County of Middlesex.' cpmpliments of Hounslow Council.

Seaxe_Man
24/04/2014 12:29
Posted by: adelaide (IP Logged)
Date: 24 April, 2014 11:56


SM

Voters have always been conned. But most of us wouldn't have had the vote until comparatively recently. No need to con us then as we couldn't do anything about it anyway.






Absolutely spot on Adelaide.

Emmaline Pankhurst, statue near Thames Embankment, ironically outside the Palace of estminster, campaigned long and hard for a vote for women 100 years ago.

If only she knew.

Her sex along wih the male sex have been disenfranchised by the political class.

Long been their aim to turn the clock back a few hundred years..

This was achieved by the Tories back in 1973.

We are now ruled by a self perpetrating, apointed, ot elected and unremovable clique over in Brussels.

This is still being sold 'as good for us'. Yeh right.

The Diamond ruled ok
24/04/2014 21:09
Right Gents.

Enough with the politics,we can all do without it and it ain't allowed (as stated in site rules).

Middlesex exists.........end of.In what form is a never ending argument.

Now if you don't like this ruling in the words of Peggy Mitchell "You can get out of my pub!!"

Jonathan Winsky
25/04/2014 00:00
The Independent have produced an article about counties, and there is a paragraph on Middlesex.

Beeamazed
25/04/2014 09:42
The whole article is very amusing.

adelaide
25/04/2014 10:57
At first I thought Surrey had been omitted, but curiously it is in there but out of alphabetical order, rather a Sorry state of affairs.

Amazingly, one or two of the comments seem to take the article (or other people's comments) seriously!


Independent State of Adelaide

selincourt
28/05/2014 22:30
Yarm, presently in Teeside, has voted overwhelmingly to return to North Yorkshire.

adelaide
29/05/2014 00:20
Turnout of less than a quarter, apparently, not unusual for a local election but it hardly suggests a desire for annexation!

I've actually been to Yarm. It is in the unitary authority of Stockton-On-Tees. Before that it was in the county of Cleveland. Never been in Teesside - never been an authority called that as far as I know. There is a postcode area TS which is presumably Teesside, but postcodes have absolutely nothing to do with the issue. Yarm wants to be put into Hambleton, part of North Yorkshire. I imagine that the council tax is lower...

I note by the way that there is still a Cleveland Police service, a Cleveland Cricket League and so on. For Middlesex, the existence of such organisations has been called in evidence by some for the continued existence of Middlesex. Naughty me wonders whether they would happily apply the same argument to a county only created in 1974, as said people seem to object to such creations as modern monstrosities.


Adelaide

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