Pancake Day Pandemonium

Today 21st of February is Shrove Tuesday but it is perhaps more widely recognised as Pancake Day. The Origin of Shrove Tuesday and indeed pancakes is a religious one which is linked to Easter (thus the date changes year by year).

Pancake Day Pandemonium

Shrove Tuesday is the day before the start of Lent which is traditionally a time of fasting, in the past rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar were shunned during Lent and so to avoid wasting these foods they were turned into tasty treats to be enjoyed before the serious business of Lent began. As usual folklore began encroaching on what was a purely religious observance and before long Shrove Tuesday gained some very secular pastimes.

Pancake day fortune cookies?

In Newfoundland and Labrador small tokens which have a divinatory meaning are hidden in the pancakes, thus, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy (or have a large dentist’s bill if they crack their teeth on it).

Pancake day races

In the UK pancake races are popular in which participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running – it’s even harder than it sounds.  The pancake race originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church whilst still clutching her frying pan and pancake. In Olney there have been pancake races since 1445. The contestants, carry a frying pan from which they have to toss pancakes a certain number of times and race to the finishing line. The race is the preserve of woman and men may only join in the Olney pancake race is they are ‘disguised’ as a housewife.

Mob Football

If you are feeling in need of some exercise after all those pancakes you might feel the urge to join a game of Mob Football a version of the game which dates back to the 12th Century and has the kind of rough and tumble that might make Vinnie Jones want to hand in his boots and take up knitting.

If you are feeling brave enough you might want to check out one of the games which can be seen in; Alnwick (Northumberland), Ashbourne (Derbyshire), Atherton (Warwickshire), Sedgefield (County Durham) and Columb Major (Cornwell).

Psychics

Enjoy your pancake day, or if you want to know if something good is coming up for you, why not call one of my Psychics for a live reading. Available 1-2-1 24/7, Worldwide, with 33% off for first time callers.