Tuesday 24 February is Shrovetide. But to most of us, it's just Pancake Day.

In the Christian calendar, it is a day for the shriving (absolution) of sins before commemorating Lent, the 40 days and nights Christ spent in the wilderness.

But for Christians and non-Christians alike, it's a day for going a little crazy before a long period of abstinence.

The trouble is that some of us have a funny way of showing it.

Peculiar over pancakes

Beating the batter still remains the highlight of Shrove Tuesday for most British citizens.

Though in some other countries mark the Shrovetide tradition of using up a household's milk, eggs, flour and sugar before Lent. The French have their baignees; the Italians, their cenci and chiacchiere.

Costume and colour: how the rest of the world celebrates Shrovetide

They are, however, only an addition to the day's celebrations, which centre around sumptuous public displays of colour and vitality.

"I came here from France over 45 years ago. There, pancakes or crepes are eaten all the time and are more appetising,"said Eve Alaric, who came to England after the War from Le Doubs region of France. "On Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), as we call Shrove Tuesday, we concentrate on public festivities such as carnivals. So, I found the pancake tradition here strange. I still do."

Running to fat

Pancake races are one of the best examples of pancake madness. One of the most notable is the one in Olney, Buckinghamshire.

Going potty over pancakes goes way back

According to legend, in 1445 an Olney housewife, engrossed in making her pancakes, made herself late for the Shriving service.

On hearing the bells, she dashed out the house in a panic, pancake and pan in hand, still sporting her apron and mop hat. The idea for the race was born.

In honour of the famous housewife, the Olney race is run only by women. Contestants must have lived in the town for more than three months and be housewives over 18.

At exactly 12.05, the women take their places at the starting line. At the sound of the "Pancake Bell", the runners toss their pancakes and take off. Whoever reaches the finish line and tosses their pancake again first wins.

The prize: a kiss from both the verger and the vicar.

Tuesday tussles

The annual outbreak of Shrovetide skipping fever in Scarborough

Another favourite activity is Shrovetide football. But, this is no Sunday kickabout. To the casual onlooker, it looks more like licensed hooliganism.

Sedgefield in County Durham is one town which for 970 years has witnessed a ballgame that sends shopkeepers and policemen running for cover.

There are no rules and no allowances made for the needs of 20th century traffic.

"The police used to think there was a riot going on when they saw us all tussling in the bullring and they tried to put a stop to it. These days they know better to keep away," said resident and retired pub licensee Bill Cooper.

A leather ball, the size and strength of a hockey puck, is thrown into the air three times. A mass scramble ensues to gain possession of it and be the first to kick the ball into a goal and then back to the playing field.

Come hell or high water, they'll have a ball

"It's each man for himself but it helps to have friends," muses Bill.

The winner gets to keep the ball with its traditional inscription:

When with pancakes you are sated
Come to this ring where you'll be mated
Where this ball will be uncast
May this game be better than the last.

Then it's off down the pub.

And is Bill looking forward to this year's game? "This year I'm off to Alnwick; to pick up a few tips from their game."

Now that's Shrovetide dedication.
 

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