February 18, 2015
There’s one day a year when it’s almost mandatory to enjoy pancakes … Shrove Tuesday, better known as pancake day!
In Kingaroy, the Anglican Ladies from St Michael and All Angels Church hosted their traditional annual celebration in the church hall.
However, there was a new face behind the pan this year, with locum priest Rev Ian Bailey – who is at the parish until the end of June – learning how to flip.
He admitted it was the first time he had tried to cook pancakes, but no one seemed to be complaining when they tasted the results.
Craft, baked items and plants were also available to buy, and there was a competition for the prettiest fan.
In Yarraman, Heritage House also put on a spread of pancakes on Tuesday for their traditional annual celebration.
Local residents dined out on sweet and savoury pancakes as well as enjoying tea and coffee.
Lent has always been a traditional time of penance lasting approximately 40 days in the lead-up to Easter.
Throughout history various cultures developed different ways of marking this last day of celebration before a time of fasting.
Practically, Shrove Tuesday was also a way to use up foodstuffs that were once forbidden during the “black fast”, including eggs, butter and milk (which, of course, make pancakes!)
During the traditional black fast, only one meal a day was allowed and meat and alcohol were forbidden – another reason why Shrove Tuesday sometimes developed into a day of rowdy celebration known as “mardi gras” (ie “fat Tuesday”) and “carnival” (ie “farewell meat”).
