WAKES weeks were held religiously in northern towns for many years.

They were also popular in Scotland.

Here in Bolton we had two separate holidays affectionately known as the Bolton Holidays.

The first was at the end of June running into the first week in July.

Then, in September, mills, businesses and schools would close again for a week.

It meant the traditional school summer holidays were cut into but it was a great way for parents to take their youngsters away without having to pay the inflated prices charged for holidays in the six week break.

The idea was that the mill owners could close everything down for the holiday period and resume the spinning once again when the work force returned.

It made sense as it meant everyone was off at the same time and there would be a long period of sustained production without the need to give individual workers time off.

It also gave the mill owners, and the owners of the many coal pits in the Bolton area, the opportunity to carry out repair work.

The wakes holiday started as an unpaid holiday when the mills and factories were closed for maintenance.

Of course in the early part of the 20th century the furthest people would travel would be the seaside resorts of Blackpool and Southport.

This journey would be taken, mainly, by train or even charabanc.

As the decades progressed some people were able to afford to fly out of Manchester Airport to warmer climes.

Bolton would become a ghost town for the duration.

Due to the decline of the manufacturing industry, in particular, the Wakes’ Weeks have all but disappeared.

Do you remember Wakes’ Weeks? If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk and we will feature your memories in a future edition.