Folk Calendar

Monday 4 January

Happy birthday to Clive Gregson (72 today)

Folklore from the old calendars

Handsel Monday No longer kept ScotlandThe first Monday of the year was a great holiday for the Scottish peasantry and for children, the day for giving and receiving presents, or handsel.
Hansel Monday and the scholars’ king No longer kept Berwickshire, Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire, SelkirkshireOn the Scottish Borders the Monday after New Year's Day was Hansel Monday, when presents of money were put into people's hands.
The Handsel Monday ale that cured a Tillicoultry collier No longer kept ClackmannanshireOn Handsel Monday in 1738 the neighbours of a bedridden collier at Tillicoultry came to make merry with him, and he drank his share of the new ale as it went round.
Handsel Monday by the fireside at Auchterderran No longer kept FifeThe people of Auchterderran kept only one holiday for merry-making in the whole year, Handsel Monday, and spent it at home.