Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) History

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, encourages self-examination, reflection on wrongdoings, and taking corrective action, which essentially aids the spirit's preparation for Lent's rigours. Pancakes became the traditional food of this day due to the need to use up eggs, butter, and fats before embracing the fasting period. First recorded in the 16th century, Shrove Tuesday finds its roots in the old custom of Christians confessing their sins (being 'shriven') before Lent. However, it's the aspect of pancakes that has made the day especially beloved in the UK. The Pancake Bell, an old tradition that signifies the start of the pancake race, is still rung in some English towns. This race itself is thought to originate from 1445, when a woman in Buckinghamshire reportedly raced to church while still tossing her pancake.

Observing Shrove Tuesday in the UK usually involves making and consuming pancakes. Traditional recipes feature a simple batter of eggs, flour, and milk, often served with sugar and lemon, but variations are extensive. Pancake races continue to be popular in communities around the country, involving competitors flipping pancakes as they rush towards the finish line. It's critical to note that Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so its occurrence varies from year to year, falling between 3rd February and 9th March.

Facts about Shrove Tuesday

• According to National Geographic, the first recorded mentioned of pancakes came from a poem written in ancient Greece during 600 BC.
• The word shrove is past tense of shrive, a verb meaning to confess and be absolved of sin.
• Rich foods such as meats, fats, eggs, milk and sugar were restricted during Lent. Therefore, to use up all of the milk, eggs and sugar, pancakes were made and have since become a tradition for celebrating Shrove Tuesday.
• The tradition of Pancake Day races is believed to have started in the town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, in 1445. The story goes that a woman was cooking pancakes in her kitchen when she heard the church bells ring, signaling the start of the Shrove Tuesday service. In a hurry to get to church, she ran out of her house, still wearing her apron and holding a frying
• "Skipping Day" is another tradition associated with Shrove Tuesday in some parts of the UK, particularly in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. On this day, people gather on the seafront and skip using long ropes, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Shrove Tuesday

Top things to do in the UK for Shrove Tuesday

• Eat pancakes! Catholics and other Christians use Shrove Tuesday to get rid of all sugar, fats and eggs in the house by making pancakes, which not only reduces waste but also temptation.
• Decide what you will sacrifice for Lent. If you are not Christian or don’t observe Lent, then consider refraining from a habit such as smoking, eating junk food or buying fast food.
• Pancake Racing: One of the oldest and most popular traditions is the Pancake Race. Towns across the UK hold Pancake Day races, where participants run while flipping a pancake in a frying pan. The most famous is in Olney, Buckinghamshire, which has been held annually since 1445.
• Read a book such as:
  Feasting with the Saints: Holy Day Celebrations, Recipes, and Traditions from around the World - by Sarah E. Hinds