Celebrate Britain’s Unique Culture with Picnics and Beer
National Picnic Week: 15th to 22nd June
Wander through any British park in the summer and there will be an abundance of picnic blankets strewn across the grass. It is estimated that the average person in the UK goes on 3 picnics a year, weather permitting. However, the concept originated in France in the 16th century and the word “picnic” that we use today is from the French “pique un niche” meaning “pick a place”.
There are many green areas in Croydon to be enjoyed. StartUp Croydon is based at Weatherill House, a modern enterprise centre offering affordable office space, training and mentoring (much of which is free), mail box/address and meeting room hire.
Although located on the busy Purley Way (with excellent public transport links) the building is situated opposite beautiful Wandle Park with it’s majestic band stand and meandering river – a great spot for a summer picnic.
The traditional British picnic involves the sandwich, named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. However, our multi-cultural society gives us the diversity of all kinds of foods in our hampers these days, often incorporating soft drinks or alcohol, some preferring wine and others, beer.
National Beer Day: 15th June
Beer (Ale) was so important in England in the 11th century that it was mentioned in one of the most significant legal documents in history, that was sealed on 15th June 1215 – The Magna Carta mentions ale in Article 35:
“Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn, namely the London quarter”
16th century English (and later British) ships spread the desire for beer to all hemispheres of the world. More styles of beer invented in Britain are now brewed regularly around the world than those of any other brewing nation. In fact, today beer and pubs are central to the social health of the nation and in economic terms they contribute £22 billion annually to Britain’s GDP. One job in brewing generates 21 jobs in related industries.
At StartUp Croydon we like to contribute to social health by holding business and networking events that are designed to give people the opportunity to make new contacts and form lasting business relationships. We usually supply free refreshments and sometimes the odd glass of wine or beer! Keep up-to-date with our activities by subscribing to our monthly newsletter on the home page, and/or view our events page.
Research for these National events was obtained from the following sources
Share this post: