MY OWN PANCAKE DAY

This blog is a day or too late due to wifi circumstances not under my control. Today's menu consists of a glass of Prosecco, a winter beef stew in a small dish and two bits of cake courtesy of the Business Class Lounge, Cathay Pacific, Heathrow Terminal 3.

Not a pancake in sight nor a traditional game of Shrove Tuesday-Ash Wednesday football. I have written about this at length before, (see December 22nd) because it is where the dignified game of soccer has its roots. The "mob" game as it was known still exists in Ashbourne Derbyshire, Workington Cumbria and Kirkwall in Orkney, Scotland. They all have slightly different rules but the result is the same-get a ball shaped thing or a 'ba as the Scots pronounce it, through the opposition goal, which is a milestone at each end of the town.

The game goes through rivers and houses have to board up their windows to prevent damage. There are casualties also, as the Kirkwall Game will reveal.

The Derby match has been played since 1667 at least, although records were lost in a fire. Famous game openers, "turning up the ball", have been Prince Charles, Brian Clough, Sir Stanley Matthews and this year a local who has reached 100 years. See the photo on Bill Milward who played in the game when he was a lad.

The game lasts for two days and starts at 2pm lasting till 10 at night.