My Green And Yellow County

 As I drove across to my craft session on Tuesday, I was very aware of the signs of spring all around me. And especially the colours of fresh green and sunshine yellow everywhere. 

Daffodils on the verges

Dandelions in the grass

Tiny paler primroses

Oilseed rape in the fields

Later in the year there will be mustard [this is the Sandringham estate]

Our county is a riot of green and yellow - it is even the colour of the Norwich City* Football Strip. They are nicknamed "The Canaries", not just for the colours, but because canary breeding has been a popular pastime here for centuries. Many Belgian and Dutch people settled in Norwich over 350 years ago- refugees** fleeing religious persecution, imprisonment and death in their homelands. Norwich became their City Of Sanctuary, Known as "The Strangers" many were weavers, whose little yellow songbirds kept them company during their long hours working at the loom. At one point, almost one third of the population of Norwich were people from the Low Countries. Their contribution to the life and prosperity of this county cannot be measured.

NCFC has the oldest football club song still in regular use - Dating back to Victorian times, "On the ball, City" is sung before each game.

Kick it off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,
Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;
On the ball, City, never mind the danger,
Steady on, now’s your chance,
Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal. City! City! City!

I LOVE MY BEAUTIFUL GREEN AND YELLOW COUNTY !!

Do you connect the place where you live with a particular colour?

* Norwich City FC is owned by National Treasure Delia Smith [although she herself lives in Suffolk]

** they came in little boats across the North Sea, without proper passports or identification papers. And were welcomed and supported. How times have changed.