Thanks for your interesting comments, nostoppin and Brian.

My 'English' hurrah list was intended mostly to be restricted to geographical features and to historical people and events from before the Union of 1707. I admit that including Bede, Boniface and probably Alfred is a bit tendentious, in that England as a nation state (or indeed as a word, I discover from the OED) didn't yet exist in their day. 'Warm beer' (or at least the 'warm' bit) is also a little speculative; I was thinking of 'Turkey, heresy, hops and beer/Came into England all in one year' (some time in the 1520s?). John Donne was born in London, which makes him English in my book. Cricket, football and rugby are pushing it, I concede; they all originated in England and were codified here, but well after 1707.

Everything on my 'British' boo list refers, I think, to people or events after 1707. I agree that Margaret Thatcher is, in one sense, as English as I am (we are in fact both East Midlanders). But it was as chief executive of the British state that she did her damage, so I feel entitled to put her in the boo list.

I suppose I am, yes. But you know what it's like when you're in love - your beloved can do no wrong!