A HUNDRED years ago, Earby closed down for almost a week every year so the workers and their families could let their hair down. Earby and District Local History Society will next weekend launch a lavishly illustrated book all about the days when homespun entertainment was the norm. Society member Bob Abel tells us all about it.

AS we come to the end of another holiday season, Earby and District Local History is launching its latest publication, “Wish you were here – Earby Holidays of yesteryear”. Researched and written by Stephanie Carter, the book looks at the evolution of the holiday phenomenon from the days of Earby Feast, originally a religious occasion, to the traditional wakes week. The story takes us up to the time before the foreign package holiday became popular and the “staycation” was the norm.

The 19th century was probably the heyday of the Earby Feast. The Feast started on the second Saturday in July when the mills closed at lunchtime and lasted until the following Tuesday evening. Home spun entertainment was paramount, fun including revelry with old-fashioned English games such as wrestling, quoits and bowls took place on the village green, with plenty of dancing, eating and drinking.

There were processions, picnicking and partying and itinerant stall holders sold sweets and toys. Travelling fairs and circuses visited and a photographer usually appeared to take family photos and later travelling cinematic shows arrived.

With the coming of the railways it was possible to afford a day trip to Ilkley or the seaside resorts of Blackpool or Morecambe.

With the introduction of Bank Holidays extra leisure time was ensured but it wasn’t until 1902 that the two day feast holiday was extended to a whole week albeit without pay.

“With the growth of the cotton mills and the large influx of industrial workers, increased wages and cheap travel, the traditions of the holiday period, once a religious feast, developed into a secular holiday. It became known as “wakes week”, which meant a holiday period. The origin of the word “wake” refers to an ancient custom of holding an all-night vigil on the eve of the festival of the patron saint of the local church followed by a fair, feast or holiday. Although with the development of the wakes, some traditions remained, the few days off in July became a regular unpaid summer holiday when the mills were closed for maintenance.”

The railway companies realised there was a market for day, weekend or weekly trips to the seaside for low income families and heavily promoted them and prior to the First World War hundreds of holiday makers and day trippers would descend on Earby Railway Station.

The coming of motor transport in the 1920s and 30s brought new opportunities for outings and the charabanc or waggonette was a popular mode of conveyance. This was an open topped vehicle with bench seats originally horse drawn and commonly used for works sightseeing outings to the country side. They were often dual purpose vehicles, when the seats were removed they could be used as lorries.

“During the first few years of the 1920s charabancs provided real competition for the railways with the cost of a charabanc journey about the same as a third class railway ticket; and people seemed to enjoy the pleasures of the open road with the wind in their faces rather than long journeys in over-crowded and stuffy railway carriages.”

Advertisements in local newspapers encouraged people to purchase waterproof gear prior to a chara trip due to the unpredictable weather.

As the 1920s progressed the open-topped charabancs were replaced with saloon buses.

The increasing popularity of the motor car allowed some families to take more advantage of the open road.

The Second World War reduced the opportunities for holidays. Transport was restricted and the railways ran few if any excursions and petrol was rationed. Many local mills did not observe an annual shut down and of course the local Rover shadow factories on vital war work had to keep going.

The government actively encouraged holidays at home. A 1943 local newspaper reported, “ In the encouragement of Holidays-at-Home facilities the Government has shown that it considers some break from the grind of war to be essential if the health and spirit of the people are to be maintained. After nearly four years of war there is a widespread sense of strain, restriction and weariness which is shared by almost every civilian in the country…There can be no doubt that the nation needs a holiday…But alas that cannot be – yet!”

The 1950s saw a revival of the holiday break with the railways at the forefront. People from Earby ventured further afield than the traditional Lancashire resorts, the south and east coast being popular with Earbyers .

“In 1953 all through holiday expresses called at Earby or there were special services to Skipton or Bradford to connect with other trains to Bristol, Taunton, Exeter, Torquay, Paignton and Bournemouth. Other through trains ran from Skipton to London St. Pancras for the South coast and the Isle of Wight, and to Fleetwood for Douglas, Isle of Man”.

The boom in holidays at traditional British seaside resorts began to decline in the 1960’s with the growth of foreign package holidays in the sunny Mediterranean which is where our journey through holidays of yesteryear ends.

Including personal memories, family photographs and postcards from local people and holidays , Stephanie has built up a remarkable picture of how we used to holiday in the 19th century and decades of the first half of the 20th century.

The lavishly illustrated book will be launched at New Road Community Centre in Earby on Saturday, September 30 at 11am. The event will have a holiday theme with an exhibition and slide show and short talks. There will be an ice cream vendor and holiday lunches served courtesy of Ask Jess. So why not come along and get into the holiday spirit. You will get the chance to win a £100 holiday voucher courtesy of cottages.com

The Earby and District Local History Society is grateful to cottages.com of Spring Mill, Earby for their support and sponsorship for the book and the launch event.