churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "VirtueOnline - News - Exclusives - LONDON DIARY: F...":
That is so true, more than one can imagine.
For those who have never visited London, prepare for a surprise. It has changed dramatically over the past decade as the EU borders have opened up and the general immigration policy changed under Labour.
One of the most memorable experiences was being on the Tube with SpouseMouse a couple of years ago one night. The two of us were the only English speakers in our part of the carriage. That was a very strange feeling.
Anywhere one goes in London one encounters many non-English(speaking) residents. I haven't bought anything in a London sandwich bar / coffee shop from an English person since, erm ... 2006. Poles, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Cypriots, Turks, Thais -- yes, but someone English? No.
London's (re-elected) mayor Boris Johnson is going to look into the food outlet issue during his second term. My guess is the pay is too low in the chains. Also, most of the places in Southwark, Lambeth, etc. are family-owned. (Boris has an interesting family tree, incidentally -- part English and French royalty but mostly Turkish, even though he is known for his blond hair and fair skin.)
As for the Church of England, yes, the West Indian and African faithful are keeping her alive.
Churchmouse
