Spring Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday is always celebrated on the last Monday of May. This year being the 31st May 2021. Known as the late May bank holiday. I personally think this is because it’s not always spring in May – sometimes it still feels like winter!
History of Spring Bank Holiday
Did you know that this Bank holiday came into effect in 1971? Up until then, the Christian holiday of Whit Monday, the day after Whitsun, was observed.
Whitsun (also known as Whitsunday, Whit Sunday or Pentecost) celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples of Christ while they were marking the Festival of Weeks in Jerusalem. It takes place exactly 50 days after Easter. The next day, Monday, was always a public holiday.
Why did the public holiday change?
The festival of Whitsun depends on when Easter takes place, as it must be 50 days afterwards. Easter usually takes place between March 31st and April 16th. This meant the date of Whitsun also varied.
After a trial period of fixing the date from 1965 to 1970, the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 moved this bank holiday to the last Monday in May every year.
Special Spring Bank Holiday traditions
There are no national customs of celebration, but individual towns have some very interesting traditions.
For example, in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, there is a cheese race that takes place on Cooper’s Hill. A large round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill. The first person to catch it gets to keep the prize… not one for the faint hearted!
In other areas, like Endon, Staffordshire, the residents will dress their well and hold a fair with sheaf tossing and Morris dancing.
Most people see this day as a chance to go on trips, see family and friends and if the weather’s good, go for walks and picnics in the countryside.
Our Spring Bank Holiday recommendations
Perfect presents for yourselves or your loved ones include hand packed boxes of marzipan fruit, marron glace and chocolate covered dried fruits. We also love some nut assortments when entertaining guests!
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