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Grateful to enjoy a very different way to give thanks
This is hands down the most difficult time of year to be away from family and friends in the US.
Last Thursday was Thanksgiving - an American holiday where families sit at the dining room table expressing general gratitude; but mainly an excuse to get together and chow down on a smorgasbord usually
consisting of a 20lb turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and all sorts of other yummy morsels.
Coincidentally, Friday was Lancashire Day; this gave me a chance to embrace a new tradition although, after asking around, it seems many Lancastrians are unaware of its existence.
It commemorates the day in 1295 when, during the reign of King Edward I, Lancashire sent its first representatives to Parliament to attend what later became known as The Model Parliament. Lancashire Day is meant to celebrate the county, its people and culture.
Which is why I was shocked and somewhat humbled to be invited to propose a toast to the County Palatine of Lancashire at Preston Masonic Hall. Needless to say, I was shaking in my boots; I kept picturing an evening full of dirty looks, overhearing whispers of, "Why is SHE here?" and sitting in a corner being Yankee-no-mates.
The Preston town crier opened the event with his handbell and shouts of 'Oyez!'; followed by a lip-smacking Lancashire meal including pea and ham soup, traditional Lancashire hotpot, cheese and onion pie, and a dessert of ice cream.
Afterwards, we took part in a Lancashire quiz, for which I knew absolutely no answers; a raffle; and listened to the folk group Trouble at' Mill.
I should have felt a far cry away from my old dining room table in Connecticut, but Lancastrians couldn't have made me feel more at home.
Even the programme of events included an American flag! My toast highlighting the 'glorious absurdities' of Lancashire fortunately went down a treat, and I was picked on (in a nice way) for the rest of the evening. Trouble at' Mill even forced me to get up on stage and join in on tambourine with their Lanky jamboree.
This event was just another reminder of how welcoming, open-minded and kind Lancashire folk can be. I was so proud to be able to celebrate this grand county.
Although I missed Thanksgiving, I was thankful in a different way.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
