Wakes week

Originally a religious celebration or feast, the tradition of the Wakes Week developed into a secular holiday, particularly in North West England during the Industrial Revolution.

Church services began at sunset on Saturday and the night of prayer was called a vigil, eve or, due to the late hour "wake", from the Old English waecan.

:[1] Each village had a wake with quasi-religious celebrations such as rushbearing followed by church services then sports, games, dancing and drinking.

[6] There is a merry, happy time, To grace withal this simple rhyme: There is jovial, joyous hour, Of mirth and jollity in store: The Wakes!

My wandering memory now forsakes The present busy scene of things, Erratic upon Fancy's wings, For olden times, with garlands crown'd And rush-carts green on many a mound.

[9] Councils no longer have a statutory power to set dates for public holidays following the introduction of the Employment Act 1989 and the Local Government etc.