How Shrove Tuesday began:

Right back in the 16th century people just decided that a good way to use  ingredients such as eggs, milk and sugar was to turn them into a sweet treat we now know as pancakes, which had to be all eaten up before the religious event called Lent. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in many different ways, some countries represent it by feasting on pancakes while others celebrate it in bigger things like carnivals. One that is widely known is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) begins on or after the Christian feast of the Epiphany.   

Why we celebrate Lent and Ash Wednesday:

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is the 40 days and 40 nights that lead up to Easter. This time is spent fasting to mark the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on his journey through the desert for 40 days! Back in the 16th century people would give up their favourite foods for lent such as eggs, milk and sugar. Christians also believe that this time is used to reflect and say sorry for their sins and bad choices. On Ash Wednesday, Christians go to church and get ash crosses on their heads to represent Jesus.

We went around our school and asked what some of the teachers and students were giving up for Lent. Here are some of the answers we found out…

Miss Falkingham is giving up pizza and bread. Katie is giving up sweets. Freya is giving up crisps. Adam is giving up coco pops. Rezwan is giving up cheerios. Miss L Larsen is giving up cheese. Maddy is giving up chocolate.

We wish them lots of luck in what we are sure will be a challenging 40 days!  

By Maddy and Freya, Year 7