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What greater Brit can there be than a Scotsman who has dominated English football for over twenty years?

Sir Alex Ferguson is a national treasure (certainly in one half of this great city of ours) and the most successful British manager of all time. English and Scottish League trophies, FA Cups, League Cups, Super Cups, Champions Leagues, a double, and a treble, all of which earnt the man from Aberdeen a knighthood in 1999.

While he may also be known for his famous half-time hairdryer treatment of under-performing players and his mind games this is a man that has managed one of the world’s biggest clubs for over 25 years, an incredible statistic and a feat that will surely never be equalled.

The Premier League is littered with evidence of his influence, from formations and tactics to current managers and coaches who learnt their trade by playing for him (extra points if you can name them all).

Sir Alex Ferguson has not so much influenced British football as dominated it, and the toughest job on earth will be trying to replace him.

Image credit: Flickr; Andrea Sartorati

 

Britain loves a dog, it’s a man’s best friend and few other countries can rival our love for a pooch. Not only does Britain host the world’s greatest dog show in Crufts but we also have a Dog Walk of Fame

Even if you have never owned a dog (and some 8million live in the UK) there’s a good chance that if you live in Britain you’ll have an affinity to at least one dog!

Maybe you grew up watching a dog on Blue Peter; one of Petra, Patch, Shep, Goldie, Bonnie, Mabel, Lucy, or Meg (Barney is surely too new!). Perhaps you know the story of Greyfriars Bobby? How about the cute Andrex Labrador puppy? The Dulux Sheepdog? Or Pudsey the cross that stole the nation’s hearts with his bag of tricks to take first prize in a national talent competition? Maybe you just own a nodding dog in the back of your car or a Wallace and Gromit DVD, it might even be the neighbour’s dog, but there’s no avoiding the fact that this is a nation of animal lovers and dogs top the list!

These pampered pets are the faithful companions to millions of Britons; little else would get a nation out of bed early, or out to face our terrible weather and we wouldn’t be the same without them.

Image credit: Flickr; Tobyotter

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” Virginia Woolf

One of the greatest writers in the 20th century and a great intellectual, Adeline Virginia Woolf summed up society’s treatment of women, yet few did more than she did to show the world a woman’s worth.

The Modernist wrote some of Britain’s best fiction; Mrs Dalloway, To The Lighthouse and Orlando and was a leading light in The Bloomsbury Group. An inspiring personality who met a very tragic death. Virgina Woolf left the world with a great wealth of literature and quotes.

Image credit: Flickr; atelier de betty

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels chart the adventures of wizards Harry Potter and Ron Weasley and witch Hermione Granger, who are all students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The seven novels chronicle Harry Potter’s quest to overcome dark wizard Voldemort who aims to conquer the wizarding world and overcome all muggles (non magic folk).

The books have captured the imaginations of adults and children alike, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success across the globe. Harry Potter is the best selling book series in history and has been translated into 67 languages!

 

Image credit: Dave Catchpole

What’s your favourite British read? Let us know below!

On this day in 1766, Josiah Wedgwood’s cream coloured earthenware earned Royal approval. This ‘Queen’s Ware’ established his fame, earning him the title of ‘Father of English Potters’ and grew his fortunes.

And it’s not just pottery, as coveted now as in 1766 that we can thank him for; Wedgwood was a marketing genius and pioneered early versions of self service, direct mail, money-back guarantees, illustrated catalogues and BOGOF offers!

Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks.  They charged one and let the other one off.

 

Another classic Cooperism! Share your favourites jokes with us below!

Image credit: nigelhowe