Sports and Entertainment in Great Britain

Wisden Cricketer's Almanack, published annually for the last 133 years, is a mine of information about cricket and the year's season. It also contains a summary of the rules of the game - known as 'the Laws of Cricket' and is published by:

The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), which was responsible for cricket throughout the world from the late 18th century to 1968, still remains the official 'guardian' of the Laws of Cricket. A copy may be obtained from:

Where can I find out about the origins of British football clubs?

For information about English clubs see:

Those interested in a particular football club may also visit the Football Association Library at their headquarters in London. The respective organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are:

Why does Britain have four teams in international sporting tournaments?

The United Kingdom sends four separate teams, representing the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to some international sporting tournaments, including hockey, soccer and athletics (Commonwealth Games).

In Football, each team is representative of a separate national sporting association, affiliated to FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) which controls world football. Under Olympic rules, the United Kingdom is regarded as a single country. Consequently, no British football team has competed at the Olympic Games since 1972.

Similarly, Scotland, England and Wales each have their own hockey team, and the countries compete separately at international events.

The rugby union touring team, the British Lions, represents England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The side which toured Australia back in 1899 was the first to be totally representative. The team allegedly received its name during the 1924 tour of South Africa when local journalists coined the phrase because of the lion symbol on the players' ties.

What are the origins of the Wimbledon tennis championships?

The international tennis tournament at Wimbledon in south west London had humble beginnings as a small championship competition for some 20 players (all men) who each paid an entrance fee of one guinea.

That first Lawn Tennis Championship was held at Worple Road, Wimbledon in 1877, home of the All England Croquet Club later to become the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Spencer Gore became the first men's singles champion, winning 12 guineas and a silver cup. In 1884 Miss Maud Watson became the first women's singles champion.

In 1922, the Club moved to its present ground at Church Road, Wimbledon, with its famous Centre Court building designed by Captain Stanley Peach. Centre Court currently has a capacity for over 13,000 spectators.

During Wimbledon fortnight, which takes place each June, over 12 tons of salmon, 23 tons of strawberries and 285,000 cups of tea are supplied by caterers, together with 12,500 bottles of champagne! Tickets for Wimbledon are issued to the general public by ballot. A Stamped Addressed Envelope (SAE) must be sent for an application form by the end of December. To enter the ballot, contact:

What are the Highland Games?

The popularity of the Highland Games dates back to Queen Victoria's patronage of them, which began in the middle of the last century, although before that time many Highland clans had long held annual gatherings which included traditional sports and games.

One of the most famous gatherings is held each year at Braemar in Aberdeenshire during early September, opening with a spectacular march of kilted clansmen accompanied by pipers playing the bagpipes.

The Games at Braemar and elsewhere in Scotland usually feature displays of highland dancing and hard-fought contests for players of the bagpipes, as well as gruelling athletic events. These include 'throwing the hammer' - flinging an iron ball on a chain as far as possible, and 'tossing the caber' - tossing a long and unwieldy wooden pole, like a tree trunk, said to have originated as a way of heaving felled tree-trunks over ravines or streams!

What and when are the Proms?

The Proms or Promenade Concerts are an annual series of music concerts sponsored by the BBC and held at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues in London. They are called 'Promenade Concerts' because originally the audience 'promenaded' or walked about during the concerts, although now they stand or sit.

The Proms originated in 1895, and since that time have become a hugely popular event. The programmes are usually of classical music, and reflect popular taste as well as more original and adventurous pieces. These days jazz, world music and other musical styles also feature on the concert programme.

The Proms take place each year, from mid-July to mid-September, although the most popular evening is the Last Night of the Proms, when concert goers fill the Hall and stand tightly packed in the arena in front of the orchestra for an evening of stirring music.

A proms guide for the current year's concerts is available from May in large bookshops, or it can be ordered from:

Seasons of orchestral and choral concerts are also promoted every year in many large towns and cities, while in central London the principal concert halls (including the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Hall) draw packed audiences. In addition to possessing a thriving interest in classical music, British music lovers have a passion for all other areas of music, from opera to folk and jazz, from rock to the latest chart topping pop group.

What is the Edinburgh Festival?

The Edinburgh Festival is an annual arts festival held in Edinburgh during August and September. The Festival, first held in 1947, has gained an international reputation, and is widely recognised for providing opportunities for avant-garde theatre groups and emerging new talents to showcase their work as part of the Edinburgh Fringe - performances staged at smaller venues and theatres outside the main programme of events, often of a more experimental, 'offbeat' nature.

The quality of the Festival's professional productions of music and theatre attract an international audience, and it is widely acknowledged that every hotel and guest house in the city is full to capacity during the festival months.

For further information contact tourist information in Edinburgh:

Thanks

The texts presented here have been placed with friendly approval of the British embassy on non-commercial basis. You find further information about Great Britain and the UK on the web pages of the British embassy named below.
Contact: British Embassy, Wilhelmstr. 70-71,
10117 Berlin, Germany Tel +49 (0)30 20457-0