Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Lets have a new Bank Holiday

Well, that's the suggestion, it certainly has merit, the UK has fewer bank holidays than most other European countries. Of course the cause is as usual naff, but it's still a good idea.

New bank holiday proposed


A new bank holiday should be introduced in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics and Paralympics, the Government was urged today.
A coalition of organisations including the TUC and a number of voluntary groups have called for a new Community Day bank holiday in late October to recognise and celebrate the nation's volunteering efforts and encourage people to take part in community events.
Most of the English of course want 23rd of April as it's St George's Day, it's also traditionally Shakespeare's Birthday too (and the day of his death) However that's not what's being proposed (par for the course whenever it's something the English want)
However, there are several more historic and memorable days in October far more worthy than a politically correct indulgence-fest.
October the 21st is of course the anniversary of The Battle of Trafalgar and it would get up the noses of both the French and the Spanish were we to celebrate that.
October the 25th is the anniversary of Agincourt, again an opportunity to remind the French just who the winners in history are. Agincourt is of course an English and Welsh victory.
(The Welsh longbow archer played a critical role in the battle of Agincourt. On 25 October 1415, English and Welsh longbow archers, many of them from Brecon, under King Henry V completely destroyed the French cavalry at Agincourt.)
For the Scots a separate day such as the 23rd of October could be chosen as the "Auld Alliance" treaty was signed between John Balliol, King of Scots, and Philippe IV of France.

So, why is it that we can't celebrate our past, but rather have some UK volunteering charity propose a community bank holiday that I truly believe wont capture the public's imagination (however boringly worthy it is) Is it just one more example of whitewashing the great past of this wonderful land of ours?

I believe it is.

3 annotations:

Dark Lochnagar said...

What about the battle of Bannockburn on midsummer's day. At least the weather will be nice and we Scots can celibrate the last time we beat you fuckers!

Quiet_Man said...

They want one in October unfortunately and that's about the only thing Scotland did in October worth celebrating.

Professor Tweedle Dumbarton said...

Anyone for roasting a Highlander or two on the 23rd April?