[Magdalen] Shrovetide greetings

[Michael Bishop]

Greetings to all this Shrove Tuesday.

In these parts - Derbyshire in the English Midlands, Shrovetide has a 
speciall meaning - football. Not American Football, Not Soccer but 
Shrovetide football. The nearby town of Ashbourne is taken over for 
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday for the Shrovetide Football which 
involves many people and is played from end to end of the town. There 
must be rules, but these are not too obvious. The match is attended on 
each day by very large numbers of people as spectators as well as the 
players.
For a description see
http://www.derbyshirelife.co.uk/home/shrovetide_football_the_original_derby_game_1_3954017

I am certainly not amongst them today as I am confined to barracks after 
taking a fall in the local hospital car park on Monday last week. I 
damaged my right ankle which I broke some years ago. Whilst the damage 
this time was not enough to require plaster or bandages (probably I was 
protected by the metal plat from the previous break), I am reduced to 
getting about on crutches for the time being - but it does mean I have 
the perfect excuse to take things easy without feeling guilty. I am 
doing only essential duties - so I had my usual 5 services to officiate 
at last Sunday and will have the Ash Wednesday one tomorrow.

Hey ho! it's a hard life for the invalid!

-- 
....
....
God bless

Michael Bishop
rev at michaelbishop.name

Rector of Boylestone, Church Broughton, Dalbury, Longford, Long Lane, Sutton-on-the-Hill & Trusley

Diocese of Derby, England