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Independence Day in England

The U.S. Embassy in London has released a list of UK-based events commemorating Independence Day. Incidentally, you can sign up for the Embassy's monthly newsletter for American expats by sending an email to "[email protected]" with the word "subscribe" in the subject line and text.

Img_5635 Independence Day Events in the UK

Several Independence Day events are taking place on and around the 4th of July.  Many American and American-themed restaurants throughout the UK will also be serving 4th of July lunches and dinners on that Wednesday.

Independence Day Celebrations 2007 at RAF West Ruislip (West Ruislip stop on the Central Underground Line) will take place on Saturday, June 30, 2007 from 1:00- 11:00 pm.  Entry is free.  There will be Fun Fair rides, food vendors, and Arena Shows (Motor & Quad Bike Stunts, Pipe Band, Regiment Bands), along with live and DJ music.  There will also be a fireworks finale at 11:30 p.m.  Contact Vincent Ennever at 01494-795649 or [email protected] for details and more information.

The American Society in London is hosting an Independence Day Fireworks Supper Party, on Sunday, 8 July 2007 at Winfield House, the residence of the U.S. Ambassador, in Regent’s Park from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  There will be fireworks at dusk (please note that smart dress, jackets are required).  Tickets are £65.  Spaces are limited, so applications must be received no later than June 22 by post without exception.  Send applications marked “R.S.V.P. - Independence Day Fireworks – EMBASSY, 8 July 2007” along with a check payable to “American Society in London” for £65 per person, and include your name, telephone number, address and email, along with the full names of the people attending, with ages for any children, to Lynne Manek, The American Society in London, 63 Woodfields, Stansted, Essex CM24 8AL.  For further information on American Society membership and on this event, please email [email protected].

St. Paul’s Church on Bedford Street in Covent Garden will be the site of a 7:30 pm concert by the New London Singers (http://www.newlondonsingers.org.uk/concerts.htm). They will be singing songs of American themes and from American composers.  Last year this event took place in St. Martin-in-the-Field, but the Church is currently under repair.  For tickets, priced at £14, contact the St. Martin-in-the-Field Box Office at 020 7839 8326, or tickets can be purchased at the door beginning at 1830 (6:30 pm).

The American Museum in Britain (http://www.americanmuseum.org/), located in Bath, is hosting an American Independence Day Picnic on July 4 in the evening.  The picnic begins at 6:00 pm on the Terrace Lawn and will feature bluegrass music and American folk dancing.  Food is available for purchase including BBQ, but families can bring their own. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children; Museum members get in free.  The Museum is also hosting American Independence Day Drill Displays on June 30 and July 1. The Displays are a living history exhibit of what life would be like for British Soldiers in 1776. 

Sulgrave Manor, the ancestral home of George Washington’s family, located in Oxfordshire, will be holding an Independence Day celebration on Sunday, July 1 from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm.  Activities will include a small circus, music and dance, and the appearance of an American bald eagle.  Tickets are £7.50 for adults, £3.50 for children; family tickets are available for £20.  For more information visit http://www.sulgravemanor.org.uk/visitorinfo/independence_day_2007.htm.

Democrats Abroad UK is having a picnic on July 1 from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm in Regents Park, in Marylebone Gardens just off Chester Road.  The picnic will have face painting for kids and other games; Democrats Abroad encourages everyone to bring their own food.

The North American Connection (NAC), based in the Midlands, will host its annual celebration of Canada Day (July 1st) and U.S. Independence Day on Saturday, July 7th, from 2pm to 5:00pm. Entrance is £5.00 for adults, £2.00 for children 4 to 12, and free for kids under 3. If you are interested in joining the NAC and wish to meet new faces, contact Debbie Feiler via email at [email protected] for further details.

“The Discovery” Tour 

In order to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, a full life replica of one of the ships used to transport English colonists to Virginia, “The Discovery,” will be touring the UK this summer.  For a schedule of the tour and more information on the celebration of the founding of Jamestown, visit http://www.jamestownuk.org/discovery.html.

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