 In 1906, an agreement on unpaid holidays was reached which became the pattern for the Wakes holidays in Lancashire mill towns.It was implemented in 1907 and guaranteed 12 days annual holiday, including bank holidays — this was increased to 15 days in 1915.There was a long-held belief amongst the working classes of the North of England of the benefits of bathing in the sea during the months of August and September, as there was said to be "physic in the sea".