Finally Whitsun. Most customs which traditionally took place on Whit Monday now (since 1971) occur on Spring Bank Holiday, the last Monday in May. They are thus in the May section of this website.
The Walsingham Pilgrimages happen over Whit weekend attended not only by the devout, both Anglican and Catholic, but also by protesters going on about idolatry. On Sunday the Lord Mayor, and absolutely everyone who is anyone in Bristol attend the splendid Rush Sunday Service in St Mary Redcliffe church and, in the evening over in the Forest of Dean, they throw Bread and Cheese to perpetuate the right of the people of St Briavels to gather wood from Hudnalls Wood. On Whit Tuesday the children of St Ives in Cambridgeshire Dice for Bibles. But the big one is Saddleworth Whit Friday when there are are Whit Walks from several villages to an ecumenical open air service in Uppermill in the morning, followed by an almighty series of Brass Band Contests in the afternoon and evening involving over 100 bands from all over Britain.
