A Graham cracker or preferably if you can get it a McVities Digestive biscuit, spread with philly cheese and topped with a jam of your choice. Jam not jelly so that you actually get the bits of fruit. I prefer blackcurrant or strawberry but apricot or marmalade is good as well
Are you giving up anything for Lent?
No at such but I have been cutting down on food generally for the last 2 or 3 weeks having put a little weight on since my birthday in November and then Christmas/New Year Holidays.
Do you know what other people are giving up?
It has been a long time since I have actually heard people say they are giving anything up for Lent. I have seen even in recent years Lent posters in some windows which obviously mean these people are participating in some church program this coming week but I am not aware of anyone at work involved or giving up anything for Lent.
Do you think they know why it is traditional to give things up at this time?
I got the distinct feeling at school there were 2 groups of people that gave up something for Lent. One who were aware this was the time of year that it was traditional to abstain from something either for health, saving money or generally a way of showing self discipline. I felt that this group thought it does you good to deny yourself something once in a way and Lent is a time when it socially acceptable to do and others are doing it so you get encouragement from your peers.
The other group were youngsters who had some form of church background whether it be through actually attending main church services or activities promoted by church such a Guides, Scouts, Girls/Boy Brigade or youth clubs. They also believed that it did you good to deny yourself things that are bad for you or luxury goods once in a while and also appreciated to some extent the religious significance but once again I would say they more used this time of the year to promote a lifestyle or change of lifestyle when it was acceptable to do so. I think really by this time the real message of Lent and significance amongst the majority of the population had really gone. Maybe it was there in my grandparents time but by the time I was in my teens it was more a memory than a reality. And today it is only really practiced amongst devote Anglicans and Catholics.
What happens on pancake day in England?
This and a local Kentish recipe called Lent Pie I will share with you tonight. In my research I actually found details on the net of a town in the US twinned to an English town which celebrates Pancake Day and in fact has events on this weekend. Maybe we can actually find some photos on the net of these events.