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 practice 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 marketplace 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. I will post today's winner after I find the result.
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