Does anyone know the roots of why Generation whistles say ‘British Made’ so boldly on their label? I understand that it is a factual statement.
I notice a lot of stuff that is British made says so boldly on the label. Like Altoids. It may actually mean it’s made in Britain, ulike “made in America” labels, which don’t mean squat. (Contracted by and American company for parts bought in China, shipped to Pakistan for assembly, to be put in packaging printed in Tiwan, and imported through Halburtonco Productions Inc. , Mexico City, Mexico. “made in America” label printed in China.)Of course, profits are sent to an American CEO and held in an offshore account, so I guess that counts.
Like it says on the label-they are ‘British made’-Made in Oswestry,in the county of Shropshire,to be exact.
So why, if one wanted to appeal to an Irish market, emphasize “British Made”? Also, knowing that eventually a competitor would appear without that designation on the whistle.
Maybe they’re trying to appeal to the morris crowd.
During the 1980s, at the height of the hungerstike crisis, I bought a whistle in Ireland of the Generation type: brass, a green top and a label with an Irish harp on it and the brandname ‘Darra’. I never saw them after though Generation changed the design of the head on their whistle to one exactly like the Darra had. Always wondered if that was an attempt to undercut the possible effect of the ‘British made’ label at a time when temperaments were flaring high while test-driving their new design at the same time.
Jim,
Generations are British made - that’s why it states so on the label.
You imply that there is some reason the Irish would show some antipathy
toward a product made in Britain. That is simply not the case. I am a
Brit who lived in Dublin for several years and can assure you that the
Irish and Brits get on rather well because we share much in common in
our daily lives and popular culture. British newsapers and TV channels are
widely read and watched and hundreds of Irish cross the water to see
English and Scottish soccer teams play every weekend. There is also a
vibrant Irish community in Britain and a lot of Irish immigrants and their
descendents continue to play important roles in all aspects of British life.
Cheers,
Colin
Shropshire . . . what a beautiful word 
Okay…then why do the only make a tabor pipe in the key of D???
Cheers,
David
Britain became truly Great because India and Ireland made her so.
It was not deliberate on the part of the two I’s. Its history and we can learn from it and celebrate our soul and humanity with muisc and friendship regardless of who made the pipe.
Yes, think of the the Generation whistle as a peace pipe offering to all those whistlers around the planet who need a cheap but in tune instrument to revel in their freedom.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih!
Perhaps they don’t necessarily want “to appeal to an Irish market”. People from other countries buy and play whistles too.
Colin,
It is true that the Irish and English get on - and history aside have a certain like for each other,
However the fact that we share certain similarities/Lang/TV shows/Soccer Teams etc. is more to do with the British successfully erasing Irish Culture and Ideals, during occupation than anything else.
British made Symbols are usually not appreciated in Ireland - and are rarely seen.
MG remove them from the MGF etc.
I am Irish - born to Irish parents in Shropshire…