Late May Bank Holiday/ June Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday/ June Bank Holiday
Also called Late May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of May. In Ireland, it is observed on the first Monday in June, which makes it a June Bank Holiday, or in Gaelic, “Lá Saoire i mí an Mheithimh”. It derives from the Whit Monday, which used to be held on the day after Pentecost, since it was a Christian holiday. It was supposed to remind the believers the time when Jesus’ disciples were visited by the Holy Spirit. Nowadays, though, Spring Bank Holiday is more of a secular occasion. It is treated as an opportunity to rest from work or leave for a family trip. Nevertheless, some regions of Great Britain engage in unique customs and maintain their home traditions, such as cheese rolling on Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.
Although Whit Monday might be an important date for many Christians because it is recognized as the origin of the Church, it was not convenient for the British and Irish citizens and the government. The authorities chose to conduct a five-year trial (1965 - 70) in order to check whether the Spring Bank Holiday, held on the last Monday of May, would not be a more comfortable option. The new holiday finally replaced the old one with the Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971. In 2002 and 2012, the holiday was held on June 4, as a completion to the weekend of Golden and Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. They were specific occasions, proclaimed in these particular years by the Queen herself. In Ireland, the holiday was moved from Whit Monday to June by the power of the Holiday (Employees) Act 1973, and was first observed as such in 1974.
The most notable traditions accompanying Spring Bank Holiday are the above-mentioned cheese rolling, dressing of the well, “Tossing the Sheaf” and blessing boats. Cooper’s Hill is famous for its annual race down the steep slope, during which the contestants are expected to run after a round block of cheese, in order to win another large piece of the extraordinary Double Gloucestershire cheese. The race proved to be dangerous a number of times, which is why recently there has only been performed the cheese rolling, without people running after it. The next two traditions are both held in Endon, Staffordshire. The whole village celebrates the decoration of a well, which in the modern times is a designated and fairly complicated task, and then the community chooses a young woman who would be named the Well Dressing Queen. Among men emerges the winner of a sheaf-tossing tournament. Boat blessing takes place during local festivals in other parts of Great Britain that communally celebrate Spring Bank Holiday. For the Irish, most popular outdoor activities are open-air concerts, parties, barbecues, garden shows, and sporting events such as marathons. There are no specific traditions that largely stand out in the Irish culture on that weekend. The most repetitive “ritual,” however, are family trips throughout the entire country.
Since it is a bank holiday, the last Monday of May is free from work for most public and private employees in Great Britain. Similarly in Ireland, a long weekend is created for most workers and students. Schools and shops tend to close, even though it is not demanded by law. Despite the curious and fascinating traditions surrounding the holiday, it is mainly celebrated by enjoying one’s long weekend seeking private entertainment with friends and family. It is the final preparation before the summer season, and a much deserved time off.