SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DAY

In the UK, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day (or Pancake Tuesday to some people) because it is the one day of the year when almost everyone eats a pancake.

What is Pancake Day? Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the last day before the period which Christians call Lent. It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes.

Why are Pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday? Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

When is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)? Shrove Tuesday is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and is therefore the final day before the commencement of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday (Easter Day). Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between 3 February and 9 March.

Why do Christians call the day 'Shrove Tuesday'? The name Shrove comes from the old word "shrive" which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began.

What is Shrove Tuesday? Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it's the last day before Lent. Throughout the United Kingdom, and in other countries too, people indulge themselves on foods that traditionally aren't allowed during Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

What is an English Pancake? A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a pan. Caster sugar (superfine sugar) is sprinkled over the top and a dash of fresh lemon juice added. The pancake is then rolled. Some people add golden syrup or jam.

Other names for Shrove Tuesday United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia - Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday Brazil - Tera-feira gorda - Fat Tuesday - the final day of Brazilian Carnival. Greece - Apocreas, which means "from the meat" since they don't eat meat during Lent, either. Sweden - Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday). USA In Catholic and French-speaking parts of the United States this day is called Mardi Gras. Germany - "Fastnacht" (Also spelt "Fasnacht", "Fasenacht", "Fasteloven" (in the Rhine area) or "Fasching" in Bavaria.) In France they call it Mardi Gras, which means Grease or Fat Tuesday. In Iceland the day is known as "Sprengidagur" (Bursting day).

Pancake Races Pancake races are held all over England. The object of the race is to get to the finishing line first whilst flipping a pancake in a frying pan a pre-decided number of times. The skill lies not so much in the running of the race but in flipping and catching the pancake, which must be intact when the finishing line is reached. The most famous pancake race takes place at Olney. According to tradition, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell while she was making pancakes and ran to the church in her apron, still clutching her frying pan. The Olney pancake race is now world famous. Competitors have to be local housewives and they must wear an apron and a hat or scarf. Each contestant has a frying pan containing a hot, cooking pancake. She must toss it three times during the race that starts at the market square at 11.55 am. The first woman to complete the winding 375-metre course (the record is 63 seconds set in 1967) and arrive at the church, serve her pancake to the bell ringer, and be kissed by him, is the winner. She also receives a prayer book from the vicar.

A short history of pancakes in Olney...

Olney's famous race is run every Shrove Tuesday, featuring women who have lived in the town for more than 6 months. It dates back to 1445 and it is believed all began with a townswoman late for the Shriving service at the Olney parish church. The day is significant. Eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is an ancient tradition. It is the day before Lent; the start of the traditional fast. By giving up dairy products, people marked Jesus' 40 days and nights in the wilderness. So on Shrove Tuesday, stores of dairy products were used up in the pancake mix. Racing to church - The Olney Pancake Race For the Olney woman, it was also important to attend the Shriving service before the start of Lent, a time to confess sins before Ash Wednesday. So the story goes, hearing the church bells ring out for the service, a townswoman fled her house fearful of being late. She ran the distance down the High Street to make it to the parish church - still clutching her frying pan and wearing an apron. Now, the event is still commemorated hundreds of years later in the Olney pancake race. The Olney residents (women) compete in traditional apron, cap, and holding a frying pan with a real pancake. They must toss their pancake once at the start and once at the finish by the church. The race starts at 11.55am. The Olney High Street is shut, and spectators line the route from the Market Place all the way to Olney's St.Peter and St.Paul church. Transatlantic links For the fastest Olney runner, there's a prize - but there are prizes too for the oldest participant and the one who raises the most for charity. The runners support many causes and sponsorship usually runs into a hundred pounds for both Olney charities and those supporting our links in Africa. The town of Liberal in the USA runs a race over the same distance on the same day, and the best of Liberal compete with the best of Olney for the fastest time. When the Pancake Race is over the runners, officials, townspeople and visitors, pour into the Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul for the great Shriving Service when several of the famous Olney Hymns are sung. Competitors place their frying pans around the font and occupy seats reserved for them, and during the service, the presentation of the official prizes from Olney and Liberal USA takes place. There is also an official prize-giving in the evening.