Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: Allan Conn
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 04:27 AM

"If the Chinese want to visit UK, they will regardless of whether UK has a bank holiday or not."

I did think it is the UK as such! Most Bank Holidays in Scotland (apart from the very big holidays) are just that Bank Holidays with just the banks and post offices etc closed but most people work on regardless. We tend to have more local holidays here and the country as such doesn't tend to all go on holiday together.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:24 AM

There are petitions on this. Google Amber Rudd.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: JohnH
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 05:18 PM

It's not their day to change. What will alter beyond their credibility?

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 04:26 PM

Good point, FloraG, the French tourists can ride the Chunnel to Waterloo Station to celebrate Trafalgar Day with us... or not.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 03:28 PM

Hefner... yeah!

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 03:26 PM

extreme like to last post!

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 02:52 PM

Can't we just wait until Margaret Bloody Thatcher dies, and then have a bank holiday to celebrate that?

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 02:37 PM

It's a load of bullshit about wanting to cash in on the Chinese tourism by creating a day in Autumn that coincides with their Autumn holiday. If the Chinese want to visit UK, they will regardless of whether UK has a bank holiday or not.

I haven't been in UK long but I associate the May Day bank holiday with Jack in the Green and Morris sides dancing all over the place and most specifically the Rochester Sweeps. One of the few highlights of my year.

I might add that there were scores of young Chinese tourists in the crowds at the last Rochester Sweeps.

Why is there no petition on this?

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 02:35 PM

If we want to encourage tourism why not have Trafalgar day as well as May day. ( not instead of). Always good to fight the French.

Sweeps in Rochester has become very popular in the tourist diary, with an estimated 1/4 m visitors over the 3 days. A lot of the 100 or so sides would find it less worthwhile to travel if they had to be back at work on Monday.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 12:26 PM

@ Johnny J, anyone who wants to have at the Tories is welcome to start a BS thread but I cheerfully have at Tories everyday elsewhere and I prefer to discuss music and events here, so when I asked for a music thread rather than a BS thread, I meant that I want to discuss the effects on folk culture, such as the threat to events popular with tourists, especially British tourists who might otherwise go abroad seeking better weather, such as:

Hastings Jack-in-the-Green festival:

http://www.hastingsjack.co.uk/

Rochester Sweeps festival:

http://www.whatsonmedway.co.uk/site/whats-on-search/rochester-sweeps-festival-p454521

If (big if, I know) the problem is that the powers that be are ignorant of British folk history then my preferred option to educate as many people as possible until the message gets through to the politicians who're supposed to represent the British people. I encourage my fellow folkies to do the same.

As for a Burns day, you Scots already have a Burns night which, as we know, at that time of year in the frozen Northlands, lasts for at least 24 hours! St Andrew's Day also sounds chilly... or was he one of the Saints martyred by burning? You could start bonfire customs. Although Dave MacKenzie's suggestions of St Columba's Day and Bannockburn Day sound perfect to me. ;-P

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 11:54 AM

Personally, I think Scotland should change back to St Columba whose day happens to be in the middle of summer. And if we must celebrate an old battle, they don't come closer to the middle of summer than Bannockburn.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: Johnny J
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 11:19 AM

I've no idea what you mean by a BS thread but, in my opinion, the real motive has nothing to do with "improving tourism" as this Tory led(Why do you always keep voting for them down there?) have claimed.

They have another agenda.

The Tories have NEVER agreed with this holiday which was first granted by Michel Foot during the 1974-1979 Labour Government to coincide with International Workers Day.
To them, it is a symbolism of socialist/communist ideals........ see this Tory woman here, for example
http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/bankholidays/7111.shtml

This obviously doesn't apply to Scotland, of course, and we have to make up our own minds. However, I'd still prefer a May day holiday to having a St Andrew's holiday in November or a Burns one in January..... if it was a choice between one or the other.

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 10:29 AM

On the other hand, I know loads of songs about Nelson and camping in Britain in October is such a joy.... ;-)

Chorus
Here's one two three jolly lads all in one mind
We are come a Trafalging and I hope you'll prove kind
And I hope you'll prove kind with your eggs and strong beer
For we'll come no more nigh you until the next year

And the first that comes in is Lord Nelson you'll see
With a bunch of blue ribbons tied round by his knee
And a star on his breast that like silver doth shine
And I hope he remembers it's Trafalgar Day time

And the next that comes in it is Lord Collingwood
And he fought with Lord Nelson till he shed his blood
And he's come from the sea old England to view
And he's come a Trafalging with all of his crew

And the last that comes in is Old Tosspot you'll see
He's a valiant old man in every degree
He's a valiant old man and he wears a pigtail
And all his delight is a-drinking mulled ale

Come ladies and gentlemen sit by the fire
Put your hands in your pockets and give us our desire
Put your hands in your pockets and treat us all right
If you give nowt we'll take nowt farewell and good night

Hmm, I'm not sure....

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 09:55 AM

...........hmmm, so only 3 days for Upton on 7? Bu**er!

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 09:47 AM

I agree that people who, for example, dance at dawn on 1st May probably won't change their habits but I think having a recovery day nearby helps encourage participation (and especially audience turn-out), as does most people having 2-3 non-work days (i.e. Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holiday Monday) every 7 or so years (give or take a leap year here and there).

Subject: RE: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 09:22 AM

May Day isn't a bank holiday at the moment unless it happens to fall on the first Monday of the month. People still dance out on the proper May Day and I don't think that will change.

Subject: Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 09:18 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12640636

"Plans to scrap the May Day bank holiday in England and Wales for alternative dates have been outlined by ministers.

Under the proposals, the holiday would be moved to St George's Day in April in England and St David's Day in March in Wales, or a Trafalgar Day in October."

ARGH!

P.S. Can we discuss the possible effects on folk customs and festivals and what to do to prevent or counteract that, i.e. a music thread not a BS thread, please? Ta.