Boxing Day - no trains and, this year, few sales

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Boxing Day - the day in the usual year when the railway shows that people can manage without it. In current circumstances, whilst I feel for businesses restricted, I'm also glad to read of people staying at home even where they could be out in lower tier areas.   Just not worth the health risk.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Boxing Day sales are expected to plummet after Covid-19 restrictions meant shops in many areas were forced to stay closed.

By midday, footfall was down 60% across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) compared with last year, according to experts Springboard.

Stricter measures have been introduced in much of the UK with 40% of England's population now under tier four rules, meaning non-essential shops must shut.

Analysts said footfall had dropped even where other retailers could open.

National lockdowns in Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as most of mainland Scotland being placed into its own level four restrictions, meant non-essential stores are forced to be closed on what is traditionally a big day in the retail calendar.

Footfall in tier four regions of England fell by 77.3% compared with last year, and even in tier two and three areas where shops are open, footfall was down by 38.2% and 42.4% respectively, according to Springboard, which analyses customer activity in stores.

First cancellation for tomorrow morning has just appeared on Journey Check

Sun, 27 December 08:38 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple due 09:32
27/12/20 08:38 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple due 09:32 will be cancelled.
This is due to heavy rain flooding the railway.

[RA]

First cancellation for tomorrow morning has just appeared on Journey Check

Sun, 27 December 08:38 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple due 09:32
27/12/20 08:38 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple due 09:32 will be cancelled.
This is due to heavy rain flooding the railway.

I understand that because of the forecasted severe weather tonight, Network Rail have requested that the first scheduled services on specific 'at risk' routes must run as empty coaching stock to confirm that the tracks are free from obstructions such as debris and flood water. This would explain why the return working is not showing as cancelled.

[broadgage]

When times are normal again, I would like to see Boxing day become a proper public holiday, with most most shops and tourist attractions being closed by law.
I would prohibit the following from opening.
Large shops (as defined by Sunday trading rules)
Theatres and cinemas.
Large sporting events including horse racing and motor racing. Defined as any event with an admission charge (or purchase required for entry) or that requires paid staff.

I would allow the following to open.
Small local shops.
Pubs and restaurants, provided that no admission charge is made.
Small or informal local sporting or cultural events, provided that no paid staff are needed and that no admission fee is payable.
Places of worship, provided that no charge is made (to stop people organising paid for theatre performances or film shows in churches)

I think that the orgy of consumerism could be postponned for one day.
Many retail and entertainment venue staff could enjoy a proper public holiday.
I believe that the effect on the economy would be negligable, people only have a certain amount of money, and can still buy the same goods, but a day later.

[TaplowGreen]

When times are normal again, I would like to see Boxing day become a proper public holiday, with most most shops and tourist attractions being closed by law.
I would prohibit the following from opening.
Large shops (as defined by Sunday trading rules)
Theatres and cinemas.
Large sporting events including horse racing and motor racing. Defined as any event with an admission charge (or purchase required for entry) or that requires paid staff.

I would allow the following to open.
Small local shops.
Pubs and restaurants, provided that no admission charge is made.
Small or informal local sporting or cultural events, provided that no paid staff are needed and that no admission fee is payable.
Places of worship, provided that no charge is made (to stop people organising paid for theatre performances or film shows in churches)

I think that the orgy of consumerism could be postponned for one day.
Many retail and entertainment venue staff could enjoy a proper public holiday.
I believe that the effect on the economy would be negligable, people only have a certain amount of money, and can still buy the same goods, but a day later.

Sporting events, especially football and rugby, have been a feature of British life on Boxing Day for decades and are looked forward to by huge numbers of people - why would you want to stop that?

Since I moved away it was one of the few opportunities I would have to go to a match with my Father, and you'd often see family groups there.

[Electric train]

When times are normal again, I would like to see Boxing day become a proper public holiday, with most most shops and tourist attractions being closed by law.
I would prohibit the following from opening.
Large shops (as defined by Sunday trading rules)
Theatres and cinemas.
Large sporting events including horse racing and motor racing. Defined as any event with an admission charge (or purchase required for entry) or that requires paid staff.

I would allow the following to open.
Small local shops.
Pubs and restaurants, provided that no admission charge is made.
Small or informal local sporting or cultural events, provided that no paid staff are needed and that no admission fee is payable.
Places of worship, provided that no charge is made (to stop people organising paid for theatre performances or film shows in churches)

I think that the orgy of consumerism could be postponned for one day.
Many retail and entertainment venue staff could enjoy a proper public holiday.
I believe that the effect on the economy would be negligable, people only have a certain amount of money, and can still buy the same goods, but a day later.

Sporting events, especially football and rugby, have been a feature of British life on Boxing Day for decades and are looked forward to by huge numbers of people - why would you want to stop that?

Since I moved away it was one of the few opportunities I would have to go to a match with my Father, and you'd often see family groups there.

Boxing Day is the traditional Christmas day for the servants of the landed gentry, it was the day they could enjoy watching / taking part in sports.  Mean time the landed gentry traditionally chased foxes around the countryside on horse back with a pack of hounds.

Perhaps the direction some would like to take England back too ...................... I doff my cap 

[REVUpminster]

Boxing Day is the time of football derby matches. Torquay played Yeovil Boxing Day (crowd 1323, normally 2-2500), Weymouth today and away Yeovil this Saturday.

Years ago football used to play the same team home and away on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The underground runs on Boxing Day for football and the sales. C2C sometimes run depending on who's at home.

Churches don't open on Boxing Day but I like the sound of an admission fee; might get more than the collection plate.

[grahame]

29th December ... this is dragging on ... another day, another raft of cancellations ...

Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway

Due to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway all lines are blocked.

Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice
Replacement road transport is in operation in both directions between Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids stations. Note that today, the majority of train services between London Paddington and the West of England will terminate and start back towards London from Tiverton Parkway railway station. Only a couple of trains, in both directions, will be able to operate as through services between London Paddington / Reading and the West of England via an alternative route.

Customers, especially those seeking to travel on late night services, are advised that they should allow much more time for their journey and, where possible, travel earlier than were the normal timetable to be in operation.

[PhilWakely]

29th December ... this is dragging on ... another day, another raft of cancellations ...

Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway

Due to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway all lines are blocked.

Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
<snip>

There has been no rain in the Exeter area for 24 hours now, but I don't know what the situation is further upstream.

[broadgage]

I see no need for major football games on Boxing day. The working, and other classes have far more time off than in years gone by. Popular football games may be played at weekends, on other bank holidays, and in the evenings.
If major spectator sports are played on boxing day, that increases the demand for transport, and for other leisure activities and department stores to be open.
Small or informal football matches or other team sports would be allowed, subject to requiring no paid staff and there being no admission charge.

I remain of the opinion that Boxing day should be a proper public holiday, with staff in the leisure and retail sectors having a days holiday.
Only those in the emergency services, utilities, and the like should be expected to work.