Professor Paul Salveson is a historian and writer and lives in Bolton. He is visiting professor in ‘Worktown Studies’ at the University of Bolton and author of several books on Lancashire history For thousands of Bolton children it was the most exciting time of the year, at least next to Christmas. ‘Bolton Holidays’ – or ‘Wakes Week’ - in the 1950s and 1960s was the fortnight when Bolton emptied, with thousands of families heading for the Lancashire seaside resorts, mostly Blackpool, or further afield. It started on the last Friday of June and lasted for a fortnight, though many people just went away for the first week. It was common for families to return to the same resort, and same boarding house, year in year out. The schools closed for a fortnight followed by a three week return before the summer holidays.