NOT a bank holiday weekend

Normally today would be be the middle of a long weekend. The last Monday in May is traditionally the Late Spring Bank Holiday (it used to be the Whit Monday holiday), but not this year. Next weekend is a super-long weekend – with this holiday shunted back a week (Monday 4th June) and an additional holiday for the Diamond Jubilee (Tuesday 5th June).


However, it is still a day off work (well I will be doing some more marking) – and this afternoon the Milton Keynes City Pathfinders will be playing in Emerson Valley. They are the local American Football team, and whenever I can I go over to see them play. If you are able to get to the Emerson Valley Sports fields (off Bowland Drive, MK4 2DN) – for 2-30, it would be great to see you. It should be an entertaining afternoon. If you want a short introduction to the game of American football, press this link.

Bank Holiday Weekend

It's a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK (the last Bank Holiday) before Christmas Day! My mind is therefore turning from the upcoming return of the UK Parliament (back on 5th September); US Congress (6th September); French Parlement (Special Session on 6th & 7th September) and European Parliament (Committees return to Brussels on Monday!!!). Instead I'm thinking about the upcoming American Football season.

I'm a fan of Washington Redskins (which other team could WASHminster follow?). Their website is accessible here. I've already copied & pasted the roster into an excel file - so have lists of the players by Name; Number and Position. My copy of the Official NFL Record & Fact Book, 2011 arrived on Friday.



I'm looking forward to watching Redskins games using NFL Game Pass on my computer - further details here.

I won't be posting any more until Tuesday (unless a major story breaks over the weekend). By the Way (or should I write BTW?) the photograph is ironic - its not expected to be a very summery weekend (but at least it's better than in Washington!!!) - this was a photo taken during our recent holiday in Brittany.

Another Bank Holiday

Today is another Bank holiday in England - "Spring Bank Holiday". We've had quite a rash of these in recent weeks - two extending the Easter weekend (22nd &25th April), two the following weekend (Royal Wedding 29th April and Early May Bank Holiday on 2nd April) and today.

Actually there are two types - Bank Holidays and Public Holidays - Bank holidays are covered by statute, and the UK Government's website states "Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Public holidays are holidays which have been observed through custom and practice."

Sadly today is more like a traditional English bank holiday - windy with the threat of rain ! - but sunshine is promised for Thursday! (I exaggerate a little - while rain is forecast for much of central England, it doesn't look too bad for Milton Keynes!)

And that's it for a while - no more until the Summer Bank Holiday on 29th August.

What a Lot of Bank Holidays!

Britain doesn't have a generous amount of Bank and Public Holidays (normally only 8 per year - for further information go here) - but the these two weeks are full of them. Last Friday was the public holiday for Good Friday. Tomorrow is a Bank Holiday for Easter Monday.  Friday has been declared a 'special bank holiday' for the Royal Wedding. Monday 2nd May is the Early May Bank Holiday. Then it is back to normal work weeks (until the Spring Bank Holiday on 30th May!).


The relevant piece of legislation is the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971

Weather information is available from the Met Office - and ideas for days out can be found below
 
What's on in Milton Keynes
English Heritage
Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)
Enjoy England
Visit Wales