Easter is the latest it can possibly be this year. Hence we begin Lent in March.

I think there is a saying about March, in with a bang, out with a whimper, perhaps referring to March winds. The bang this year will tie in with Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras or Pancake Day. Where I used to live near Athersone in Warwickshire, this day was celebrated with a football match through the High Street called Long Street. It dated back to the time of King John. Rules were fluid and teams likewise, usually from the large number of Public Houses. I must check that it is still going strong as I hear the cheese rolling a Halliton in Leicestershire has been stopped by health and safety. The football match was much more dangerous. Shops were boarded up and broken bones were not usual. The secondary school closed in the afternoon, as pupils would take themselves off to watch anyway. The team with the ball at the end was the winner. The balls were quite special and the winning team allowed to keep it. The father of one of my deaf pupils won, one year, so I could look at the ball at close quarters.

This is a far cry form our bang or party on Shove Tuesday. Soup and bread will be served at the Rectory followed by pancakes. This will start our Lent soup lunches but after this no more pancakes. Do let me know if possible if you are coming.

What is the origin of Shrove Tuesday and theses peculiar happenings? The dictionary says it is a time of Merriment and festive rejoicing. It is the opposite of Shrove, the going to confession and receiving absolution-this could well be cause for rejoicing- but then there may be the penance to be done. This could be associated with our giving up something for Lent or doing something extra. Lent used to be a much more austere time than it is now with no meat leading to the idea of using up the good things in the kitchen and having a party before the austerities of Lent begin. It is celebrated more on the Continent perhaps as in Catholic countries Lent is marked more stringently. I remember reading about Mardi gras in the novel Chocolat.

So we have had a lot of historic information. The most important thing is the Lent or Growth that can be a spiritual time of growing as well as the growth so visual in spring. Not only are there Lent Lunches but weekly study evenings based on a book written by John Cox our former Archdeacon. He has at last retired form the Board of Education and using his retirement to write books to help others. Do try to come to theses evenings to learn and grow too. Members of our Ministry Team will lead the sessions.

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