UK Bank Holidays - Special day

Robert Burns Night, marks the birthday of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. Revered for his contributions to Scottish culture, Burns is best known for penning works that resonate deeply with themes of love, liberty, and the human condition. The night serves as both a tribute to the man and a celebration of Scottish heritage, observed not just in Scotland but also among Scottish communities worldwide.

The evening typically unfolds around a traditional supper, featuring quintessentially Scottish dishes like haggis, neeps (swedes or rutabagas), and tatties (potatoes). The meal is usually accompanied by the recitation of Burns' poetry and is often inaugurated with the Address to a Haggis, a poem that extols the virtues of this national dish. Following the supper, guests may engage in singing Burns' songs, delivering toasts, and reading selected works, all wrapped up in a convivial atmosphere that embodies the spirit of community and cultural pride.

Beyond the gastronomic and literary elements, Burns Night holds symbolic value as a manifestation of Scottish identity. It serves as a potent reminder of Scotland's rich cultural tapestry, contributing to the continuity and propagation of customs and values that define the nation. Whether observed in a formal setting or a more intimate gathering, Burns Night offers a time-honoured avenue for exploring and appreciating the depth of Scottish culture.

"The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley."

Father’s Day in the United Kingdom is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June and is a heartfelt occasion to honour the important role fathers, stepfathers, and father figures play in family life. Though not a public holiday, it is widely observed across the UK with personal gestures of love and appreciation. From handmade cards and gifts to shared meals and outings, the day offers families an opportunity to pause and recognise the guidance, support, and strength that fathers bring to everyday life.

Originally imported from the United States during the early 20th century, Father’s Day has grown in popularity in the UK, taking on its own distinctive character. While commercial elements such as greeting cards and gift-buying are now common, many people choose to mark the day in a more personal way. Whether through acts of service, homemade presents, or simply spending time together, the emphasis remains on connection and gratitude. It is a time when both young children and grown adults reflect on the life lessons, humour, and dependability that fathers often represent.

In homes across the country, Father’s Day may be celebrated with a breakfast in bed, a countryside walk, or a favourite hobby shared between parent and child. For families separated by distance, video calls and heartfelt messages keep the tradition alive. Schools and nurseries often encourage children to create crafts or write poems for their dads, helping younger generations understand the value of appreciation and family bonds. In many cases, the day is as much about shared experiences as it is about gifts.

For makers and small businesses, Father’s Day presents an opportunity to offer unique and thoughtful alternatives to mass-produced goods. Handmade leatherwork, custom artwork, artisan food, and personalised accessories are all popular choices, echoing the desire to give something meaningful and enduring. Whether simple or grand, the celebration of Father’s Day in the UK reflects a growing appreciation for the nurturing, protective, and inspirational figures who help shape our lives with quiet strength and steady love.

The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

St John the Baptist Day, marked on the 24th of June, is steeped in ancient tradition and summer symbolism. Widely celebrated across Britain and Europe, this midsummer feast honours the birth of John the Baptist and is closely associated with themes of light, growth and renewal. Traditionally, communities gathered to light bonfires, weave flower crowns and hold outdoor festivities, connecting faith with the flourishing of nature.

Many of the customs tied to St John’s Day resonate deeply with the arts and crafts community. From crafting herbal garlands believed to hold protective powers, to wood carving and firelighting displays, the day invites a celebration of nature’s bounty and hand-crafted heritage. It’s a time when artisans, especially those who work with natural materials, can draw inspiration from the rhythms of the land and the spirit of seasonal change.

Today, revivals of St John the Baptist Day often centre around local fairs, open-air craft markets, and folk art performances. These events offer a platform for craftspeople to share their work, teach traditional skills, and forge connections with the wider community. Whether you’re a woodturner, ceramicist, or textile artist, the day offers a beautiful opportunity to align creativity with cultural heritage under the warmth of the midsummer sun.

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

Emmeline Pankhurst Day - a celebration of one of the most influential figures in the women’s suffrage movement. Born in Manchester in 1858, Emmeline Pankhurst led a tireless campaign for women’s right to vote, founding the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903. Her fearless leadership and unapologetic activism were pivotal in transforming public attitudes and ultimately changing the course of British democracy.

The legacy of Emmeline Pankhurst resonates far beyond politics. Her life embodies values of craftsmanship in activism—the patience, determination and bold creativity required to build change from the ground up. Just as artisans shape raw materials into works of meaning, Pankhurst and her fellow suffragettes shaped history through protest, perseverance and strategic expression. For makers and artists, her story serves as a reminder that even small actions, crafted with intention, can leave a lasting impact.

As we reflect on the values Emmeline Pankhurst championed, we also celebrate the continuing role of women in the arts and crafts. From textile makers to ceramicists, women have long used craft as a form of cultural commentary and social connection. Today, her legacy inspires not only political change but also personal empowerment through creative expression.

“We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.”

St. Swithin was known for his humility, piety, and connection to ordinary people. He requested to be buried outside so "the rain would fall on his grave." When his body was moved inside Winchester Cathedral on 15 July 971, it reportedly rained for 40 days—sparking the weather rhyme and associated superstition.

The day became part of England’s traditional rural calendar, where weather on 15 July was believed to foretell the next 40 days. Although not scientifically accurate, it remains part of British cultural heritage, especially among those interested in countryside traditions.

Mid-July is often a turning point in the British summer. St. Swithin’s Day serves as a symbolic marker for changing weather patterns and is often referenced in artistic, literary, and meteorological contexts.

St Swithin’s Day remains a cherished piece of English heritage, especially among those who find beauty in seasonal rhythms and folk wisdom. Rooted in the belief that nature and spirituality are intertwined, the day is often marked by gentle reflection and an eye on the sky. For artists, makers, and countryside dwellers alike, 15 July is more than just a date—it's a symbol of continuity, storytelling, and the quiet magic of tradition passed down through generations. Whether the rain falls or the sun shines, St Swithin’s Day evokes the textures and tones of a distinctly British summer.

"The superstition about St. Swithin is one of the most poetic in our calendar—an old belief in the tears of a saint becoming the weeping skies of summer."

Trafalgar Day, commemorates the decisive naval victory led by Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson over the combined fleets of France and Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in 1805, stands as a pivotal moment in British maritime history. The day serves as both a celebration of British naval prowess and a remembrance of the sacrifices made, notably the death of Nelson himself. Traditionally marked with ceremonies, parades, and sometimes naval reenactments, Trafalgar Day is an enduring symbol of national pride and the indomitable spirit that has characterised British naval tradition for centuries.

All Hallows Eve, observed on the 31st of October, serves as the precursor to the Christian festival of All Saints' Day, which falls on the 1st of November. The occasion has ancient roots, merging pre-Christian Celtic traditions with early Christian practices. In the United Kingdom, the day has been traditionally marked by activities such as souling, where children and the poor would go door-to-door, offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for soul cakes. Another enduring tradition is the carving of turnip lanterns, a distinctly British predecessor to the American pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns. While the day might not hold the same level of commercial spectacle as observed in other countries, it nonetheless maintains a sense of the mystical, often accompanied by local folklore and customs. The observance of All Hallows' Eve in Britain offers a more subdued, yet equally fascinating, look into age-old traditions that intersect the spiritual and the cultural.

Trooping the Colour, an annual event typically held on the second Saturday of June, is a grand military ceremony that celebrates the official birthday of the British monarch. Originating from traditional preparations for battle, wherein regiments would troop or display their colours to familiarise soldiers with their respective flags, the ceremony has evolved into a lavish display of pageantry and precision. Hosted at London's Horse Guards Parade, the event features hundreds of officers, horses, and musicians from the Household Division coming together in a spectacular show of discipline and coordination.

The British monarch, accompanied by various members of the Royal Family, reviews the troops in a highly formal procession. Following the inspection, the soldiers and military bands perform intricate drills and manoeuvres, culminating in a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. Not merely an exercise in martial display, Trooping the Colour serves as a symbol of national unity and continuity, drawing citizens and tourists alike to partake in this venerable tradition that so vividly captures the essence of British ceremonial grandeur.