>I have a multi-lingual calendar on the wall. Suddenly, now in November, I got curious about some of the dates mentioned in it. Perhaps someone can tell me what they are about:
>
>UK:
>Early May Bank Holiday
>Spring Bank Holiday
>Summer Bank Holiday
>Boxing Day
>

Bank holidays are holidays when the Banks are closed, but are not necessarily public holidays (although they tend to be). Public holidays are not necessarily bank holidays. Boxing day is when the Monarch hands out money to the poor (Maundy money, in boxes), if I remember correctly - I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. Strictly speaking, those you have listed are valid in England and Wales, some valid in Scotland and Northern Ireland with others from Scotland and NI omitted (such as the second business day in January and St Patrick's Day). Scotland also has a number of local (by town) holidays, which adds to the fun, plus local councils decide on the public holidays. Banks usually don't close on these holidays, but some businesses do: this is used to drive business into other areas (quite canny really). To confuse matters, banks in Scotland now use the English bank holidays and/or their own.

Now you know why the rules to cricket are complicated - we just like things that way.

See http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/bankhol.htm for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (not Scotland)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/faq/bankhol.asp for Scotland

http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/bankhis.htm will give you the history of Bank Holidays and a faq at http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/bankfaq.htm