A bank holiday for Athelstan?

[Imperial Dave]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/30/give-englands-forgotten-king-a-bank-holiday-say-campaigners/

And whilst you're at, it pop one in for Arthur

[Jim Webster]

Apparently the idea is to celebrate the day by having the prime ministers (or equivalent) and the leaders of the opposition from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales row King Charles across the Derwent.
Apparently there is already a queue of people who want to beat the drum for the stroke and apply the whip to those who are slacking 

[Adrian Nayler]

As an English Bank Holiday only, would it not be seen by the non-English parts of the Union as celebrating English dominance and confirming the worst fears of subservience? Rather than a "Ferry 'cross the Derwent," perhaps a "Punch-up on the Wirral" would be more likely? (Sing along with Gerry and the Pacemakers; both lyrics work.)

Should 12th July 2027 celebrations come to pass I'm sure we would see the rapid introduction of both a Bannockburn Day and a Llywelyn the Great Day. Struggling to determine what Northern Ireland could celebrate that wouldn't be impossibly controversial though. Whatever, it's never going to happen as so few of the English have heard of Athelstan. Perhaps something connected to Traitors or Strictly would have more traction? 

[stevenneate]

Sounds a bit of a daft idea, but any excuse for a day off. Trying to connect it to "patriotism" suggests Athelstan was a scoundrel.

Stick to great Aussie ideas for a public holiday such as a horse race or a football final. It works for us and no one is offended. We do have a public holiday for the King's Birthday, so maybe we Aussies are already celebrating Athelstan as the first king of Australia?

[Imperial Dave]

Sounds good to me Steve 

[Keraunos]

Sounds a bit of a daft idea, but any excuse for a day off. Trying to connect it to "patriotism" suggests Athelstan was a scoundrel.

Stick to great Aussie ideas for a public holiday such as a horse race or a football final. It works for us and no one is offended. We do have a public holiday for the King's Birthday, so maybe we Aussies are already celebrating Athelstan as the first king of Australia?

Athelstan would not have lasted long on that Melbourne wicket! 

[Jim Webster]

Sounds a bit of a daft idea, but any excuse for a day off. Trying to connect it to "patriotism" suggests Athelstan was a scoundrel.

Stick to great Aussie ideas for a public holiday such as a horse race or a football final. It works for us and no one is offended. We do have a public holiday for the King's Birthday, so maybe we Aussies are already celebrating Athelstan as the first king of Australia?

You underestimate the ability of some people to be offended 

[aligern]

 I suggest we are careful of comparing sports skills. I rather think Early Medieval warriors with 3 ft long heavy swords and mobile shields centrally gripped would have excellent hand to eye coordination and strong wrists, precisely the sort of faculties that would be essential on a cricket pitch.
Roy

[Imperial Dave]

And sandpaper....

[Erpingham]

And sandpaper....

Are you accusing Athelstan of ball tampering?

[Imperial Dave]