Updated 03th March 2011

The Campaign To Increase The Number Of
British National Holidays ( BANK HOLIDAYS )

All civilized countries have a number of national holidays, to give their citizens a day off, which also sometimes double as a commemoration of a national event in history. In Britain, we call ours BANK HOLIDAYS, because it is the only time that the High Street Banks shut for business during the week. We, in Britain, work very long hours, possibly the longest hours in Europe. And we have only EIGHT regular bank holidays.
 

1. Christmas Day
2. Boxing Day
3. New Years Day
4. Easter Monday
5. Spring Bank Holiday
6. May Day
7. Good Friday
8. August Bank Holiday

My suggestions for extra holidays include the following :-

1. Mid Summer's Day, It's the longest day and it's in a long gap, between bank holidays, so why not spend it in the garden or on the beach. A government which introduced this holiday would inject the ultimate feel good factor into its younger people, and encourage them to feel rewarded, and more likely to vote in future.
2. Peace day, A day when we remember the victims of oppression during the 20th Century, including the Holocaust and famine caused by wars and unrest.

Also, rather than the usual Monday, Friday would be a better day for a Bank Holiday. Because for most people, that is when the weekend starts each week, and bringing it forward by one day will extend the break. Whereas when the holiday is on Monday, that comes after Sunday, a day when 90% of the population winds down a little, and as a consequence, all but the most sporty of us don't feel like doing anything on bank holiday mondays.

A final point for this proposal, would be the discouragement of commercialization on any new free days. We Britons, look across the Atlantic Ocean on our American cousins with distaste, with regard to the sickly way they promote greeting cards, and gifts for every conceivable occasion. That is not how we like to conduct ourselves in the United Kingdom. The greatest pleasure would be in the shared knowledge that we can rest or exercise with no need to spend money, if that is our whim. And round the day off with a swift half in the local.

Below Is A List Which Compares The National Bank Holidays
Of Some Of The Worlds Nations
 

As you can see, apart from Netherlands, most countries have at least 10 holidays, and Hong Kong wins with 17, which is more than twice our allocation.

Next Is A List Of Other Holidays Which Some Parts Of Britain Observe, Or Individuals Might Like To Celebrate For Whatever Reason. In Chronological Order
 
 

HOLIDAY TITLE	DATE CELEBRATED	OTHER NOTES
NEW YEARS DAY HOGMANAY	1ST JANUARY 2ND JANUARY	- VERY IMPORTANT IN SCOTLAND
VALENTINES DAY SHROVE TUESDAY ASH WEDNESDAY	14TH FEBRUARY - -	- PANCAKE DAY -
ST. DAVID'S DAY COMMONWEALTH DAY ST. PATRICK'S DAY MOTHERING SUNDAY	1ST MARCH 9TH MARCH 17TH MARCH 4TH SUNDAY IN MARCH	WALES' NATIONAL DAY COMMEMORATES THE EMPIRE IRELAND'S NATIONAL DAY SEND MUM SOME DAFFS
GOOD FRIDAY EASTER MONDAY ST. GEORGE'S DAY	FIRST FRIDAY IN APRIL FOLLOWING MONDAY 23RD APRIL	CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL TRADITIONAL PAGAN FESTIVAL ENGLAND'S NATIONAL DAY
EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY	FIRST MONDAY IN MAY LAST MONDAY IN MAY
MIDSUMMER'S DAY	USUALLY 21ST JUNE
	NOTHING IN JULY
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY	LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST
	NOTHING IN SEPTEMBER
HALLOWE'EN	31ST OCTOBER
BONFIRE NIGHT REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY ARMISTICE DAY ST. ANDREWS DAY	5TH NOVEMBER CLOSEST SUNDAY TO 11TH 11TH NOVEMBER 30TH NOVEMBER	FIREWORKS AND TOFFEE REMEMBERING WAR DEAD MINUTE'S SILENCE @ 11:11 am SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL DAY
CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY BOXING DAY NEW YEARS EVE	24TH DECEMBER 25TH DECEMBER 26TH DECEMBER 31ST DECEMBER	GET DRUNK EXCHANGE PRESENTS WATCH FOOTBALL SING 'AULD LANG SINE

In the week ending 25th August 2000, a campaign to have a further 2 or 3 bank holidays in Britain, has emerged in the press. The arguments rest on the following points :-

1) The current Bank Holidays are bunched together somewhat, and some more to fill the gaps would be most welcome.
2) More thought ought to be given to the Patron saint's days, Especially in England where St. George is practically ignored.
3) The holidays are based on false christian landmarks, which were dreamed up by a bunch of arguing bishops in whitby 500 years ago. Who tried to sway the argument their way by having regular " visions " of various religious characters. The kingdom is now multi-faith, or even un-religious, to why celebrate a set agenda of bunched together christian holy days?

Maybe it would be more representative and harmonious to have a few Holy Days, ( Christian, Muslim, Jewish ) and some well spread out non religious days, like Midsummer's Day.

4) Why do we mess up the whole month of December, by only really working for 2 weeks in it? Most people find it tedious to be hanging around with nothing to do in the grip of winter, with all shops and entertainments closed.

The next bank holiday does not come until Christmas time, and the government is tentatively considering adding another holiday at the beginning of June and combining it with spring bank holiday to make a long weekend.
But it will be a one - off, to coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee ( 50 years ) in 2002

In My View
This is a very half hearted measure, to provided by an out of touch Government, who don't understand what the Country's working population require.

The extra hours are also available on New Years Eve, now that's more like it!

Thanks to the following people for comments and support :-
A.Rigler, Kim, M.Springham, P.travis, A.Kirk, M.Chilton, J.Twigg

   The Campaign To Increase The Number Of British National Holidays ( BANK HOLIDAYS )