Lancashire Day

Legacy

This article is a part of my legacy series where I explore where we are from, where we are going and what we leave behind. Alison

Introduction

Legacy

When I think about legacy it brings to mind things that are left to be inherited by my family, but your legacy can be other things as well.

For those who come after you, one way for them to know you is by your legacy and by that, I mean a record of what you did in your life.

Now I know we are not all great explorer like Charles Darwin was, but even in each of our small ways we have made a mark on the world.

Over recent years, I've realises that my grown-up kids don't know much about their family history or the grandparents and just how life was even one hundred years ago.

I began a legacy journal about ten years ago simply noting who their ancestors were and where they came from.

For this I use my favorite A5 Leuchtturm dot grid journal in yellow.

Today I'm taking about a celebration that used to go on when I was a young girl in my local area.

November 27th

On 27th November every year Lancashire Day is celebrated.

Lancashire is a county in the northwest of England.

This special day is celebrated by men and women and lassies from Lancashire who may or may not still live there.

Like me.

Home

I am originally from Lancashire, but I now live in Vancouver.

The sign says "Welcome to Lancashire A place where everyone natters" which is a twist on the saying everyone matters, because to natter is to chat and maybe even gossip, especially with your friends and neighbours.

But in a friendly way, as people do in the north.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a funny thing and draws you back to your roots and early childhood memories.

I haven't been there for many years but still remember living as a child in a carefree environment walking the fields and picking blackberries each endless summer.

It was on 27th November 1295 when the county first sent its representatives to the English Parliament.

That was over seven hundred years ago and this date is now celebrated as Lancashire Day.

How to Celebrate Lancashire Day

Wear a Red Rose

The red rose is the symbol for Lancaster and comes from the War of the Roses.

For years Lancaster was the county town of Lancashire, but now it is Preston.

The white rose is for York and Yorkshire.

You know, the place where the puddings come from, so no white roses for us.

Cook my Nana's Lancashire Hot Pot

This is my grandmother's recipe and we used to have it once a week as kids.

Lancashire Hot Pot is a casserole like meal prepared in one dish that can be kept warm for hours for people coming home late.

It is made with the local ingredients from the area and is traditionally eaten on a weekday night.

It is a simple dish made from of lamb, onions, potatoes and sometimes turnips.

But honestly, I haven't made it for a while.

Ingredients

1kg shank or neck of lamb

2 large potatoes

2 large onions

Flour for dusting

Thyme can be dried, but fresh is best.

500ml vegetable or meat stock.

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Cut the lamb into one-inch cubes and dust in flour.

Slice the potatoes and onions 5mm thick.

Keep aside some evenly sized potato slices for the top.

In the bottom of a greased heavy casserole dish (which has a lid), place a layer of potato slices overlapping slightly.

Then add a layer of onion, and optional turnip, and then a layer of lamb.

Continue the layers and end with a potato layer from the slice kept aside earlier.

Add the vegetable stock and season with salt and pepper.

Bake for three hours with the lid on and then 30 minutes with the lid off to crisp the top potatoes.

Your hot pot can be removed from the oven and kept warm to eat later in the day.

Serve with pickled red cabbage on the side.

Today

How We Eat

I'm not sure if I'll ever cook this dish again.

Although it was a staple way back then, these days of easy takeout and Uber eats it's not likely.

To be honest I'm not sure where I could even get a neck of lamb from anyway.

Sing the Folk Song: The Lassie from Lancashire

She's a lassie from Lancashire

Just a lassie from Lancashire.

She's a lassie from Lancashire

Oh, so, dear.

Though she dresses in clogs and shawls,

She's the prettiest of them all.

None could be rarer, or fairer, than Sarah,

The lassie from Lancashire.

Overarch

Memories

No matter where you live now, and thinking about the neck of the woods wher you came from, there is likely to be some form of celebration that still goes on.

Your festivity doesn't have to be as ancient as mine of over 700 years, but some merriments truly are.

What local festivals from your hometown do you still give a nod to?

Let me know.

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote writes about living creatively and building a meaningful life on your own terms. Through gentle reflections on solo living, home and everyday creativity, she explores how to shape a life that feels calm, intentional and deeply your own. More