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Happy Saint Andrew's Day
I couldn't figure out at first why my ISP had what at first sight appeared to be an error icon placed on their logo on their site today. I then realised that the strange looking round symbol was a saltire and the figures beside it were some kind of pipers or Scots Guards.
Next to Google where they often decorate their logo on their home page for special days and holidays. Nothing. So a quick search for "saint andrews day" revealed that it was in fact Saint Andrews Day today (me of Scots ancestry too not knowing that: the shame!).
Anyway, it turns out that despite my faint recollection of some English folk complaining that everybody else in the UK gets a holiday on their Saints day but them (maybe I'm blaming them in the wrong), it turns out St Andrews day isn't a holiday in Scotland either - at least not unless you're prepared to swap it for one of your other bank holidays. The Scotsman rightly points out that few would choose a cold, wet November day over a potentially beautiful summers day in August, or a spring holiday in May.
It should be a holiday. The UK as a whole gets less holidays than the rest of the UK so why not create an extra one in each region for the respective saints days?
It's something the Lib Dem-Labour government should have taken on when they had the chance instead of letting the SNP be the ones to bring it forward. While, as someone who believes in the United Kingdom, I find it difficult to trust the motives of the SNP, for once I actually find myself in agreement with Alex Salmond and co., who have promised to make it a national holiday. In fact I even like their idea of a 2-month "winter festival" type thing starting with Saint Andrews Day, taking in Hogmanay and running through to Burns Night (25th January). Apparently they just haven't got round to it yet. It strikes me as odd that they couldn't find time for this but managed to find time to rebrand the Scottish Executive for example. Priorities people!
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12 comments
In answer to your question, yes it would. At the moment I think it, like the twelfth and thirteenth of July, has to be declared a holiday every year (this was done by the Secretary of State, not sure who's responsibility it is now, probably OFMDFM). I would support the introduction of all 3 as annually recurring holidays.
Also remember that a lot of the Protestant population of Northern Ireland are Presbyterian/Bapdist/Methodist etc. Unlike, eg the Church of Ireland these demoninations do not recognise the communication of the Saints and it is for that reason that they don't celebrate St.Pats day.
I'm sure it's not a problem though for the Roman Catholic Unionists.
No, they don't.
They may have a problem with the exclusive and sectarian vision of "Irishness" which is generally on parade in Belfast, but they're more than happy to get involved with the celebrations in places like Downpatrick where the celebration is tailored for the whole community.
If you wish to commemorate St Patrick by getting drunk that, i suppose is down to you?
It's really depressing that from the first comment on this post the topic has diverted to our own parochial interests here, I think that says a lot about our society.
Hadn't thought of this. Is that why St George's and St Andrew's are relatively uncelebrated.
I like this winter festival idea. Maybe we could have a Scots-Irish version that stretches to the end of winter (ish) on 17th March.
Happy St Francis Xavier's day by the way.
Is it a case of "if we give the f**kers the 17th, we should get two days just to remind them that we are all as British as Finchley?", or did something happen of significance on that day?
All I can think of is the Pope ringing up King Billy and thanking him for a job well done!!!
The 13th is declared a holiday each year with the 12th and St Patrick's Day. I don't know what exactly the rationale is, if you're that interested maybe you could try an FoI request. I just suggested making the days we currently get off a permanent thing rather than having to renew the legislation every year.
Or surely another day at Xmas would make more sense..
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