New English icons

The London Underground map, the red telephone box and the English weather joined a growing list of "icons of England," part of an Internet initiative to celebrate the country's heritage.

A total of 21 nominations became the fourth set of cultural treasures to be included in the government-backed Icons project, which it is hoped will create a snapshot of England's best-loved things.

Listed on the website - www.icons.org.uk - are all the icons chosen since the launch of the website in January and taking their place today, alongside the Tube map and phone box are Dr Who, Winnie the Pooh, London's Westminster Abbey, cheddar cheese, the Rolls Royce car, the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper" album, and roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Among the first announced in January were the SS Empire Windrush, which brought the first wave of Caribbean emigrants to Britain, a cup of tea, and the red Routemaster bus.

Today's random link dump

Light blue touch paper and stand well back. Do not, repeat not, stick the firework up your arse.

The Hubble space telesccope's top 100 pictures. Purty.

A serious case of WTFery as a paedophile hides under a girl's bed for three months without being detected.

Man comes up with unique way to get women to undress.

Shatner once again demonstrates he's the man.

Chugworth Academy: Officially awesome. Now with added ninjas.

The best hat ever.

KISS-opoly. Um...

IHateMimes.com. Nuff said.

The origin of Skin! From Generation X #1/2.

Speaking of British icons...

...the Carry On movies really should be on the list. Especially the superlative Carry On Up the Khyber, with Sir Sidney Ruff Diamond (Sid James) and the regiment of the Third Foot and Mouth protecting India from invasion by the Afghan leader the Khasi of Kalabar. And especially this final scene, as Sir Sidney hosts a very British dinner party as the battle rages on...