From the Editor's keyboard

Treason, Victory and Spitfires.

It is a mark of the failure of Britain's higher education system that many of Britain's young graduates can not recognise a Spitfire fighter, do not know why Nelson's (that is Vice Admiral, KB not the former South African President) statue was erected on the highest plinth in London; nor do our countries so call brightest have much understanding as to why 5th November is celebrated with fireworks.

Between now and the end of the year there is ample opportunity for some self education on three important events in British History.

To mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot there are three excellent exhibitions and displays to raise even the most apathetic students' knowledge above the minimal standard secondary school history curriculum. Waltham Abbey in Essex are running a series of displays and re-enactment as a part of the 'Gunpowder Plot 400' events which includes an illustrated talk that takes a close look at the background of the Plot to blow up Parliament 400 years ago.

Another recommended event is a free exhibition that runs until 18 November, in Westminster Hall, London which will provide the uninformed an introduction to the events of 1605 in a location close to the scene of the actual events. Thirdly 'Gunpowder Treason and Plot' is the theme of a display of paintings and engravings from 17th September - 18th December at the National Gallery. Full details of the events can be found on www.royalgunpowdermills.com.

As for an understanding of why Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson KB was such an important a figure in British History the self educating student should head to Portsmouth on 21 October (no need to explain why that date) to attend a ceremony in front of HMS Victory. The now better informed student should then attend Nelson Night; a musical celebration of The Battle of Trafalgar in the Albert Hall, London.

As for basic war time aircraft recognition there will be a flypast of the symbol of the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire Fighter at a commemoration of the end of the Second World War - 15 August 1945 - at the family home and birthplace of that Greatest of all Britains, The Late Rt. Hon Sir Winston Churchill KG, PC, Blenheim Palace. There will also be an easy to follow exhibition on the vital importance of the Battle of Britain and why the Spitfire is important as a national symbol. The ''rip-roaring day'' which will clearly be both entertaining and educational will be held on Sunday 14 August details can be found on www.flightfestivals.com

The former Home Secretary David Blunket became so annoyed at the lack of understanding of Britishness by adults acquiring British Citizenship ( which is in itself a misnomer since we are Subjects of the Crown, not citizens - another issue for another day) that he quite rightly introduced a test for aspiring immigrant Britons. Well, this blog proposes a test for all students prior to being awarded their degree. At least three of the questions of the post graduate, multi-choice (it must be kept simple) test, should be a) recognise a Spitfire, b) know the basics of the Gun Powder Plot and c) to know what happened on 21 October 1805.

Readers who are pleased to note that all the mentioned events celebrating our glorious history are a signs of a lessening of the opressive politically correct culture (conceived in 1920's Germany and re-born in 1980'S USA and encouraged by the true government of the UK - the EU) should, we are sorry to report, not be pleased since they need to continue to worry about the erosion of the factual an often brutal truth of our nation's history.

There is no mention at the 'Gunpowder Plot 400' exhibition that Guy Fawkes was horribly tortured before he was hung, castrated and disembowelled (whilst still alive).

At the October weekend events in Portsmouth the Lib-Dem group on the City Council are at pains to see that all are honoured who fought at Trafalgar (which would have been the Red as well as the Blue team). Well after all the French and the supporting Spanish are all our European cousins now. Please no one must mention the decimation of Britain's fishing industry by the Spanish or Britains farming industry by the French (and HMG in the form of DEFRA)

Additionally, Blenheim Palace's very PC press officer informed the editor of this blog that the commemoration on the 14 August of the 60th anniversary of the Second World War was a ''themed 'European' Family Day''.

What is worse than a people not knowing their history is a nation state that is afraid of it.

Lest we forget.