The Curtsy

At Miss Vacari's Dancing Class for Young ladies, in Knightsbridge in the 1970s
From, "Being English"

Lewes Fireworks

A few days before Lewes holds its Bonfire Society parades on November 5th, the Nevill Juvenile Society parades through its suburbs, supported by the Lewes Borough Society, founded in 1853. These parades are really special, but do take ear plugs!

Guy Fawkes!

On November 5th the Bonfire Societies of Lewes parade through its streets, before heading off to their bonfires and fireworks displays in surrounding fields. These women are in the Waterloo Bonfire Society, who kindly gave me access to follow them over two years. From, "Being English"

Hello, Hello, Hello!

An Old English Dance group meets on Parliament Hill Fields in 1976, accompanied by their Hobby Horse. From, "Being English"

Warriors!

No, not America's Deep South but a spare bedroom in North London in the 1970s. This young English couple shared their devotion to the Southern Skirmish Society, a battle reenactment group, and this was their precious collection of memorabilia.  From, "Being English"

Diwali

In Brent, North London, Hindus celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. There's a similar event in Trafalgar Square but this, on a shopping street close to the local temple, seems far more involving and genuine. From, "Being English"

Salvation

Sunday morning on a village green in the West of England, in the 1960s. A Salvation Army brass band sets out to entertain and to save souls. Their audience is two young girls and me, probably more concerned with composition than the hereafter. Fifty years on the former has become instinctive but the latter remains a dilemma. From, "Being English"