It’s strange and quite sad at the same time how we British (along with the rest of the Western world) copy and imitate so much of what comes out of America. Now, that is not said out of any disrespect to the USA, a country that I much admire, like immensely and visit regularly.

It is a wonderful country and its achievements in the 237 years of its existence are nothing short of phenomenal.

What bothers me, however,  is why we British, who have a history, heritage and a set of traditions at least ten times as old feel the need to copy America so blindly. Why, for example, do we have to celebrate Halloween, that great example of American consumerism, in the manner of Americans when All Hallows Eve (the correct name for Halloween) is such an ancient festival in our country’s history?

Today (November 1st) is All Saints Day and tomorrow is All Souls Day, all part of the same festival. These are days of British tradition and history but I doubt many people know this and I doubt if they are taught by our schools.

I appreciate that I probably sound like a grumpy old curmudgeon who, Canute-like, is trying to hold back the tide and prevent the inevitable – and I realise, of course, that this particular tide can never be stopped. More’s the pity.