Calls for extra England bank holiday to honour 'significant day'

Calls for extra England bank holiday to honour 'significant day' There are also calls for 'organised celebrations' There are new calls for an extra bank holiday in England next year to recognise a 'significant day' in the nation's history. The UK Government has announced the usual eight bank holidays for England (and Wales) in 2027. Two of these will be 'moved' because Christmas Day, December 25, and Boxing Day, December 26, fall on weekends. Substitute bank holidays will therefore take place on Monday and Tuesday, December 27 and 28. Bank holidays can only be altered, or indeed added, by Royal Proclamation - only the King can shift a bank holiday or introduce extra ones to the calendar. For instance, earlier this year Buckingham Palace announced Scotland will observe an additional bank holiday today, June 15, due to the nation qualifying for this year's World Cup. This is the first time it has done so in some 28 years. And now a fresh petition has been launched, demanding an extra bank holiday for England next year. Petition organiser Derek Hilling said: "Make Monday 12th July 2027 a bank holiday in England to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the birth of England, so that all the people of England celebrate this occasion. "The Government should also support organising celebrations for that day." He continued: "It is recognised by many that the meeting arranged by King Æthelstan on 12th July 927 at 'Eamotum' in Cumbria represents the original unification of the English people, it is rightly described as the Birth of England. "After this date King Æthelstan styled himself as Rex Anglorum - King of the English. We believe the Government, by creating a bank holiday on that day, would indicate its recognition of this significant day in England's history and could allow most people in England to join in the celebrations." At the time of publication, the petition has gathered 1,330 signatures. Those wishing to add their name have until September 11, 2026 to do so. Should the petition hit 10,000 signatures, it will prompt an official government response. If it manages to reach 100,000 signatures, it could be put forward for debate in Parliament.