Lacemakers' Lore

Hot on the heels of Candlemas, I bring you more candle lore.

It’s Shrove Tuesday - which may mean pancakes to us but, to the lacemakers of old, meant more besides.

During the long, dark days of winter, these ladies would work together in order to share the cost of candles. The older, more experienced women would get to sit in the centre of the room closest to the flickering light. The young girls, whose eyesight was better and whose skill wasn‘t so great, took a place on the edge of the circle.

However, come Shrove Tuesday - whether it fell early or late - the candles were blown out……and weren’t relit until September.

Roll on the longer days of Spring...