Shrove Tuesday

 

Shrove Tuesday brought an opportunity to which bands of children levied a mild form of blackmail on luckless householders.  The demand was levied in the form of a dogged chant.

‘I’m come a shrovin

For a piece of pancake

Or a little trouble cheese

Of your own making

Give me some or give me none

Then your door shall have a stone’

 That was the Sturminster version of this ‘chant’ which must have been handed down from very long ago.  I remember hearing it quite 70 years ago, about which time it disappeared.

There are few differing versions still extant here and there: especially one at Durweston where the custom has been subsidised by a bequest

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