Today is August Bank Holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Originally, the holiday was held on the first Monday of August across the country, but was changed in the 1960s to the last Monday in August. This was partly in response to pressure from the holiday industry to extend the season. The move applied to England and Wales, but not to Scotland. The date was settled in statute with the passage of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which remains in force today, with the date specified as "the last Monday in August". This painting is one of our favourites, has real holiday atmosphere and is displayed in our newly redecorated shop, It is Algernon Talmage's 'Silver Morning, Aldeburgh Beach', painted in Suffolk. We sell greetings cards of this design in the shop too. (fb)

We are sharing another splendid pair of Bushey photos from Jeff Owen. Jeff says, "Two photos of Bushey High Street taken around 1905 and very recently in 2025. "I see that the ivy that has clad the building on the right for well over 120 years is it's on it's last legs (or should I say roots)." (fb)