British Traditions

Julian is a freelance writer whose work has been in The Toronto Globe and Mail, The National Catholic Register, International Travel News, and Americas magazine. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook, and The Rough Guides.

 

Prince George will be able to lay claim to the turtles in the London Pool says author Julian Worker in his new book, ’40 Humourous British Traditions’.

We all know about Cheese Rolling and Wassailing but now acclaimed travel photographer and author Julian Worker has meticulously gathered together forty lesser known traditions that might or might not be real. Exploring the delights of The Village Idiot selection process in Somerset or the Racing Frogs of Bexley Heath this little book is a smorgasbord of the strange and wonderful British pursuits that never quite made it into the traditional canon of local activities. Having spent many years travelling the world and taking photographs for inclusion in such publications as National Geographic, The Rough Guides and Thomas Cook he turns his attention closer to home by shining a gentle light on the quirky nature of British traditions and activities.

“I’ve spent many years collecting pictures and stories from around the world,” said Julian. “I felt it was time to have a bit of fun with the unique and charming nature of the traditional pursuits of the British people.”

Now living well out of reach of any angry Moorland Arrow Catchers, he tells of the fun he had collecting these tales. The British are world famous for their annual festivals such as burning Guy Fawkes or Bog Snorkelling,” he continued. “I just thought there must be thousands more that aren’t recorded anywhere, so who knows if these are real or not?”

40 Humourous British Traditions is published by Mirador Publishing in the U.K. whose offices are just a thimble’s throw from where the Somerset Windmill Dancers are reputed to gather each year.

“When this first landed on our desks we were somewhat taken aback,” said Sarah Luddington, Mirador’s Commissioning Editor. “After all, we are only a short walk from the last windmill in Somerset and none of us here can recall the Village Idiot Selection Day. Or maybe we don’t qualify?” she jokes.

After this book, the prolific Julian Worker returns to more familiar territory with his forthcoming travelogue to be published later this year also by Mirador.
40 Humourous British Traditions and the other books are all available from good bookshops and online stores both as a paperback and an eBook in all popular formats.