1952 gets a noisy New Year's Eve welcome
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In the years before New Year's Day became a bank holiday, great appreciation was felt when New Year's Eve fell on a weekend. Just how much can be seen in this short news report on the Chelsea Arts Fancy Dress Ball at the Royal Albert Hall. The theme is Huntin', Shootin', and Fishin' and a huge crowd of elaborately (and sometimes scantily) dressed young men and women take to the dance floor with great enthusiasm.
New Year's Day didn't become an official bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until 1974. It became a bank holiday in Scotland in 1971 and in 1973 this was extended to include 2 January.
