Nobody does it like the Brits

DEAR EDITOR:

I think S.J.Peterson needs to do some research about statutory holidays (Herald, letters Feb. 11).

A day holiday for Truth and Reconciliation is nothing like celebrating the Monarch’s Official Birthday in England, which began in 1748. There are no Indigenous matters there. That day is more like a pageant of all ceremonial things military lasting several hours — trooping the Colours, marching bands, displays of horses and riders, gun salute, a fly-past by RAF or Red Arrows and more. People go from far away to see it and well worth seeing — there is tradition and history there — it is not a statutory holiday.

And “nobody does it like the Brits.” Concerning holidays, England does not have (or need) a holiday every month. And the long school summer holidays are much less than here — about six weeks, not 12. The other allocated days are added on to statutory holidays to make a nice break — at Christmas, New Year (not “years” please — only one) Easter, Whitsuntide combined with Labour. There are spring breaks in May and August, called Bank holidays, again from history.

Schools have their mid-term breaks, but only for them, not in general.

Halloween was not celebrated until fairly recently; but not a holiday; there is 5th November, “Guy Fawkes Night”, to celebrate when he, Guy, was caught trying to burn down the Houses of Parliament, not the Royalty. Again, no holiday.

Children have old clothes filled with straw to make a guy which they take round asking “penny for the guy”, like “trick or treat”. Then the guy is eventually burned on bonfires at parks and village greens or big back gardens.

People do not dress up and get drunk, but have baked potatoes from the bonfires, toffee apples, gingerbread and back home hot chocolate and hot toddies. The evening usually ends with a firework display. Should I say, vive la difference?

Marjorie M. Montgomery

Penticton