Stand Alone Pages on 'Musings of an Old Curmudgeon'

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13 February 2018

Happy Shrove Tuesday!


Today is Shrove Tuesday, so called from the custom of confessing and receiving absolution (being 'shriven') before the beginning of Lent, which I did Saturday evening. It's called Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in French from the old practise of using up the last animal fats in the kitchen before the beginning of the Lenten fast. In Italy and the countries that speak Spanish and Portuguese, it is known as Carnival, because it is the day we say goodbye, 'vale' to meat 'carne' for Lent. In German it is called Faschingsdienstag, or 'Carnival Tuesday'.

 In England and some parts of the Commonwealth it is also called 'Pancake Day' from the old custom of using up the fats and eggs before Lent in making pancakes. In the village of Olney, Bucks, since 1445, a pancake race has been run in the town on many Pancake Days, the day before the beginning of Lent. Tradition records that in 1445 on Shrove Tuesday, the 'Shriving Bell' rang out to signal the start of the Shriving church service. On hearing the bell a local housewife, who had been busy cooking pancakes in anticipation of the beginning of Lent, ran to the church, frying pan still in hand, tossing the pancake to prevent it from burning, and dressed in her kitchen apron and headscarf. The women of Olney recreate this race every Shrove Tuesday by running from the market place to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a distance of over 400 yards. The traditional prize is a kiss from the verger. 


The women of Olney not only compete against each other but also against the women of Liberal, Kansas USA. It all started in 1950 from a magazine picture of the Olney women racing each other to the church. Liberal Jaycee President R.J. Leete contacted the Rev. Ronald Collin, Vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church in Olney, challenging their women to a race against the women of Liberal. The Vicar replied, “The Race is on!”

The first race was held on February 21st, 1950. Liberal has won more times than Olney, and notched up yet another win this morning! Liberal's website, announcing today's win, and Olney's site.


I'd like to wish all my readers a Happy Shrove Tuesday, and a blessed and holy Lent!
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1 comment:

  1. Kathleen103113 February 2018 at 14:45

    Happy Shrove Tuesday to you too! I am proud of our speedy American women, even if they do come from a poorly named town. ;)
    What interesting information, and I wish you a blessed and holy Lent as well.

    ReplyDelete

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