Shrove Tuesday is today, February 16.  This the last day of indulgence before Christians traditionally move into a 40-day period of abstinence (Lent)  that marks the lead up to Easter with Easter Sunday being this year on April 4.

Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as Pancake Tuesday) is a day in February or March preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes

It takes its name from the word “shrive”, meaning to confess and seek absolution. The St James Church on Gladstone Street will mark Pancake Tuesday this evening from 5.30pm at the church hall.  All welcome.

In many parts of the world, it is also known as Pancake Tuesday, a tradition borne out of households cooking pancakes the day before Lent begins. Fats, eggs and milky foods once counted among the items observant Christians wouldn’t eat during Lent. Pancakes were a dish that could use up all these items – just add flour. 

The pancake has a very long history and featured in cookery books as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old: “And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne.” (Pasquil’s Palin, 1619).

The ingredients for pancakes can be seen to symbolise four points of significance at this time of year:
Eggs ~ Creation
Flour ~ The staff of life
Salt ~ Wholesomeness
Milk ~ Purity

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