Hip Hip Hooray, it’s a Bank Holiday!

As we look towards the half term break from school have you wondered why we have Bank Holidays?

Well, Bank Holidays were first introduced by a man named Sir John Lubbock who was a banker and politician, and the first Baron of Avebury.  He wanted the employees of banks to have time off from their work to enjoy time with their families. Until then it was difficult for banks to close on Public Holidays as people still had the power to require payments on those day, remember there were no cash points or online transactions in the 1800s.

In 1871, he drafted the Bank Holiday Bill, initially, it was just banks and financial buildings that would close, which is where the name comes from. But as time went on, businesses, shops, schools and the government all joined in.

Royals can also add extra bank holidays, for example, the Millennium Bank Holiday on 31 December 1999 and the Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 were extra special days when many people got an extra day off work. And we will get another one next year to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Friday 3^rd June 2022.

As we move into half term what will you do with the time away from school?

Think about giving yourself move time to sit and relax and enjoy those things you don’t get time to enjoy when rushing to and from school. Read that book, listen to music, talk to family or friends, go for a walk or just sit and chill and enjoy the sunny weather as contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t always rain on bank holidays.