Hip-Hip-Holiday!

It’s one of our favourite times of year here at the Oakeley Arms Hotel. When the sun is shining, the beaches are packed and there’s a festival feeling in the air. Of course, it’s the summer bank holiday; an extra lovely day off for many people across the country and great excuse to spend it catching up with family and friends or getting out and about and seeing the best of your local area.

The idea of Bank Holidays dates back to the mid 1800’s – prior to 1834, the banks observed (and so were closed) no less than 33 religious holidays and “saint’s days” every year, but in 1834 this was reduced to just four – Good Friday, 1st May, 1st November and Christmas Day. Of course, for the majority of the industrial working masses, this didn’t mean a day off, just the inconvenience of the banks being closed. But, by 1871 and thanks to a Liberal politician called Sir John Lubbock, the Bank Holidays Act was passed, and so more and more people benefited from extra days off (much to the disgruntlement of factory and industrial employers).

The August bank holiday was added in the 1960’s, as an idea to extend the good old British summer holidays. And although the entitlement to bank holidays off from work is not a legal right, many employers now observe the traditions and either close businesses for these days or offer workers additional pay or holidays to work them.

There are currently 8 different bank holiday days in England & Wales, which means we still lag behind many other European countries. For example, Austrian citizens have 13 bank holidays a year while Cypriots benefit from a whopping 18! There is a campaign for more bank holidays in Britain – ideas for celebrations include additional Saints days (like St David’s Day in Wales and St George’s in England) or the birthdays of prominent British citizens.

But for now, let’s make the most of a precious one additional day, and make it a great one. There’s plenty going on close to the Oakeley Arms – from the Abergynolwyn Show on Saturday, the Wild Wales Challenge at Bala on Sunday, or how about a cultural day at one of our beautiful castles or vintage railways, or even just a day on the beach!

Whatever you get up to, we hope you have fun. Enjoy the holiday, and pop in and see us at the Oakeley bar for a delicious holiday drink!

Oh, and fingers crossed for some bank holiday sunshine!

Image by Linder5680 on sxc.hu