For the majority of people in the UK, Bank holidays are an eagerly anticipated day off from work. They get to enjoy a long weekend followed by a shorter working week and it's often used as a chance to take a short break away from home or for catching up on a bit of DIY around the house.


What are Bank Holidays

Bank holidays are public holidays when all banks are closed for trading. And apart from essential services such as the police, ambulance and fire brigade, the majority of businesses also close for the day. Nowadays more shops such as supermarkets and department stores are choosing to remain open for trading as normal. Although employees are often given the day off work, their entitlement to pay is dependent upon their workplace policy.

The term ‘bank holiday’ was first coined by Sir John Lubbock, a member of parliament responsible for the introduction of several reform bills including bank holidays. He felt that bank holidays should be differentiated from public religious holidays such as Christmas and Good Friday.

History of Late May Bank Holiday

The late May Bank holiday was initially introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871 and is one of four bank holidays designated to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and one of five in Scotland. The 1871 Act was eventually repealed and incorporated into the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

It was originally known as Whit Monday since it falls on the day after Pentecost or Whit Sunday. According to the New Testament, Pentecost is a religious celebration commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus. The holiday could fall on any Monday between May 11 and June 14 as long as it came after the seventh Sunday following Easter.

In 1971 Whit Monday was replaced by a fixed Spring Bank Holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and then in Scotland in 1978. This meant the bank holiday would always fall on the last Monday of May. Bank holiday dates can be changed by royal proclamation and as such, the Spring Bank Holiday in 2012 will be moved to Monday June 4 with an extra holiday on June 5 added to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Spring Bank Holiday Customs

Several traditional Whit Monday customs have been faithfully recreated throughout the years, many having been in existence for centuries. Of these, possibly the most famous is the cheese rolling contest at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire.

Contestants race down a steep hill, chasing a large Double Gloucester cheese to the bottom. Whoever reaches the bottom of the hill first wins the race and takes home a prize of a cheese. Cheese rolling also takes place in other parts of England with the Stilton rolling contest in Stilton, Cambridgeshire. In this competition, people roll a Stilton cheese along a 50 yard course.

Gloucestershire plays host to another tradition of bread and cheese throwing. At St. Braivels, after evensong, villagers throw baskets of bread and cheese from the castle wall for villagers to collect. This tradition is thought to have been in existence since the 12th or 13th century and may have begun as a way for villagers to earn the right to cut timber from local woods.

Tossing the Sheaf, a competition held in Endon in Staffordshire, involves men competing to see who can toss a bale of hay the highest over a bar. This is part of the ancient ‘well dressing’ celebrations where villagers dress a well and crown a local girl as the Well Dressing Queen. Other traditional activities held in various towns include parades led by local brass bands ending with celebrations, competitions and dancing and plenty of local food.

The once religious holiday of Whit Monday which occurred on variable dates between May and June, is now fixed on the last Monday of May and renamed the Spring Bank holiday. The day is steeped in tradition and ancient customs which many towns strive to keep alive. But for most people living in the UK, the day is simply a chance for an extra day off work and a long weekend for relaxing, catching up on household tasks or just having fun.

Sources: 
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/bank-public-holidays/bank-public-holidays/page18882.html
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/employment-matters/rights/bank-holidays
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/klmno/lubbock_john.html
http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/bankholidays.pdf
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/spring-bank-holiday
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/whit-monday