(this comes from a native of the city) - he says his hometown is the only city in England that does not have a cathedral - the tradition qualification for being a city (he says)

and this now gritty town is also home a world famous institution and also of the designer of the Spitfire plane (done by Mitchell)

what's the city

and is this ex-Brit right in his characterization that to be a city requires having a cathedral.
'
As he left the old sod 50 years ago perhaps there are other cities now sans cathedrals?

well he's right about Southampton. I'm pretty sure Brighton hasn't got a Cathedral either - but that was only made a city in 2000.

What world famous institution is based in sunny Southampton - The Saints? The White Star Line? Cunard? The Joiners Arms? Derby Road?

well he's not from Southampton or Brighton - think China

Bath is a city, but it does not have a cathedral, only an abbey. The cathedral for Bath is at Wells.

Actually, I thought that many places were now called "City", even though they did not have a cathedral. I cannot think of any others, however.

Eh? The Spitfire is from Southampton, as is the Titanic - and not much else.

There's a LOT of cities in the UK that don't have a cathedral - and there are several cathedrals that aren't in a city

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_st...rthern_Ireland

Bath, Derby, Southampton, Sunderland, Hull, Cambridge, Lancaster, Plymouth, Preston, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Nottingham

Arguably Leicester (it's a diocese without a full cathedral)

And if the question refers to Anglican cathedrals:
Birmingham, Salford, Westminster, Leeds

Your chum must have been away for about 500 years

According to Wiki there are numerous cities w/o cathedrals - perhaps you meant Derby and the institution would be Eddie Waring or Brain Clough?

Titanic was from Belfast I think - another city w/o Cathedral (according to my buddy Wiki)

Well yes that's why i put the onus on my old 82-yr old 'chum' about his claims - he's from Stoke-on-Trent and did say Mitchell who designed the Spitfire was from there - not that the plane was made there.

So in today's parlance having a cathedral, Anglican at least, has nothing to do with being a city.

But St Davids i think or Wells are called England's smallest cities because they have cathedrals?

very confusing but interesting.

He seems to mean Stoke on Trent. I can find at least on more- Hull.

Traditionally the term city was associated with episcopal seats, but I think the associtaion is less focused than it used to be.

St Davids, and all Welsh people will be very offended by you saying it is England's smallest city PalenQ

<<< So in today's parlance having a cathedral, Anglican at least, has nothing to do with being a city. >>>

"today's parlance" being the last 130 years or so. Apart from the really old cities like York, city status is something that is given by the monarch

Oh and yes Wells is the smallest, London is the second smallest.

my aplogies to the Welsh - certainly would not want to 'taint' them with being English even though their Prince of Wales is English.

And as for Southampton not being famous for anything ..... Benny Hill.

and Southampton Row?

Audere, Brighton and Hove Actually.

The Mayflower set sail from Scumhampton and should be a point of pilgrimge for any self respecting Septic. They even have a commemorative brick to celebrate the fact. Find it if you can.

Benny Hill, Surprisingly very tall, very gay, and lived with his mother. Used to walk past our offices every day on his way to the Co-op.

An old boss was his assistant when he was a milkman in Beastly Eastliegh, and I once saved his life....... He stepped in front of my car and I braked.