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| Via Don Kitwood |
Thanks to Carole of Mademoiselle Poirot, I now know what a "Pearly" is! I couldn't wait to share it with all of you following here. You all know how jacked up I get about culture! And now, a little gem from England...
Pearlies, or Pearly Kings and Queens, are kind of the English equivalent to the bell-ringing Santa in America (only, I assume they work year-round.) They are a charitable organization that work the streets asking for money to go toward a good cause.
Apparently, it all started with a young street sweeper who begged for charity. He started adding pearls to his clothes in order to draw attention to himself and generate more revenue for local charities. Fast forward about a hundred years and you still have a thriving organization of do-gooders helping support a local cause.
Have you ever seen a Pearly King or Queen in your travels to England?
How interesting! :) I have never been to England, but my cousin has been over there for several years... I'm sure she knows all about Pearlies!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm so glad my little tip inspired a whole post! Thanks for the mention :-) Have a great weekend, Love from good old London xo
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this is interesting. Love it. Funny I think I heard/read about them but never actually saw them or even a picture!! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
No...but I learned something new today, which I love!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tradition! I've never heard of that!
ReplyDeleteCute! Definitely a more creative way to earn money for charity. Santa bell-ringers are good, but this is better!
ReplyDeleteYou feature so many things I have never heard of! But love it, too neat. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIf you are up to it, would love to have you join the Storytellers Blog Hop this weekend! Think you would be a perfect fit in there!
http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/
haha that is so cute! i had no idea about these cuties, but am so happy to have learned about them :)
ReplyDeleteWow - they look crazy in that photo! How fun!
ReplyDeletewhat a cute tradition, ive never heard of this!!! learn something new everyday haha
ReplyDeleteI have never met a Pearly! Glad to learn about the tradition, though. I think that's lovely.
ReplyDeleteWay cool! I love that.
ReplyDeletenever heard about this tradition!! but now I know something new! ps. lovely blog! wanna follow each other?? kisses
ReplyDeletehow cute is that! I've never heard/seen that before!
ReplyDeletethat is so interesting!
ReplyDeleteHow COOOOOL! i have never heard of pearlies, but I'm intrigued! AND I'm sure I couldn't pass up a donation if I ran into one...I ALWAYS donate to the bell ringing santa. ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I have lived here for 6 years and never seen a Pearlie! Have I been living under a rock? Clearly! Right, off to do some Pearlie spotting now!
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