August Bank Holiday (Nov. 15)

“The first weekend in August mirrored what Granny affectionately knew as England’s August Bank Holiday. My paternal grandparents, Gramps and Nana, shared the same happy recollection. All the same, like many others at the time, they did not receive an official Monday off. … Still, … they arrived at the Point along with Harry and Lou. Uncle Harry’s duty was to build a bonfire as early as possible on Saturday morning. It was designed to burn down to a bed of coals by noon or 1 pm. Over those embers, a hefty shoulder of pork would gently roast until six. Gramps, an artisan butcher in the St. Lawrence Market, always chose the meat. A circle of deckchairs would be set out for a gallery of onlookers, but Gramps was unmistakably in charge. Meanwhile, I divided my time between fishing from shore and darting back to watch the fire. My goal was to be in time to make off with the first crispy flakes of pork fat or skin I could pilfer.”

Pp. 26-7

In our fast-paced century, nostalgia for ‘the good old days’ may sound overly sentimental. So many families appear to have forgotten how to enjoy their own good company while partaking of simple, life-affirming activities together!

If a much-loved ‘good old days’ family event – either from the past, or even from the present! – comes to your mind, why not leave a comment?

(Illustration generated by AI)