Apprenticeship Hot Topics - March 2022

10 Minutes

SHROVE TUESDAY 2022 - MARCH 1ST

In the UK we have a fairly unique tradition which we all know as “Pancake Day”, this comes the day before Lent begins. This is also known as “Shrove Tuesday” and is 47 days before Easter Sunday. In other cultures, Mardi Gras takes place on this date. In past times, people wanted to use up all their eggs, butter, and sugar just before Lent due to these items being given up during the fasting period. Therefore, it made sense to make pancakes out of the ingredients, and so the tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday was born. Many areas in the UK still hold pancake races where you have to flip a pancake in a pan while racing hundreds of yards and not dropping it on the ground. Why not get involved and enjoy a yummy pancake and maybe even have a go at flipping them!


Recipe - Pancake Mixture.

  • 110g/4oz plain flour, sifted
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs 200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water
  • 50g/2oz butter


To Serve

Caster sugar, lemon juice, lemon wedges or why not treat yourself with some chocolate spread or golden syrup (if you are not counting calories) Each pancake provides 88kcal, 7.5g carbohydrates (of which 0.9g sugars), 5g fat (of which 2g saturates), 0.4g fibre and 0.2g salt. (Not including the lemon and sugar topping)


Source of the recipe and full instructions can be found at: Pancake recipe - BBC Food




WORLD BOOK DAY - THURSDAY 3RD 2022


World Book Day is an annual charity event that began in 1995 and is celebrated in the UK and Ireland on the first Thursday in March. The theme for this World Book Day follows the message "You Are a Reader," and there will be a focus on reaching children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This year it celebrates the 25th Anniversary!

On World Book Day, every child in full-time education is given a voucher to spend on whatever book they want, with the hopes of encouraging kids to read more. Reading more will help to improve their vocabulary while learning new information, and enhancing their creativity in the process!

World Book Day is usually celebrated by school children dressing up as their favourite character from a book they have read and donating some money to charities, such as Book Aid International, where proceeds go towards buying books for children who can’t afford them. Some work places get involved too, will you join in the fun this year?


To find out more information, go to: www.worldbookday.com



BRAIN TUMOUR AWARENESS MONTH - 1ST - 30TH MARCH


This was started by Brain Tumour Research with the aim of raising awareness and sharing powerful statistics to raise awareness of brain tumours and the need for greater research funding. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK dedicated to funding continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. Their vision is to find a cure for brain tumours and to build a network of experts in sustainable brain tumour research.

What is a brain tumour? A brain tumour occurs as a result of an abnormal growth or spread of cells from within the brain or its supporting tissues that can damage the brain or threaten its function. Some types of tumour can occur around the edge of the brain and press on certain parts of it, whilst others can be more diffuse, spreading out and growing in amongst healthy brain tissue. Brain tumours are divided into four classifications – grades 1 and 2 are low-grade, grades 3 and 4 are classed as high-grade. Highgrade or malignant brain tumours are aggressive and can spread quickly in the brain, and are usually a serious threat to life. Low-grade or benign brain tumours are slower-growing and not usually immediately life-threatening, but can still have a potentially dangerous impact on a person’s well-being.

Wear A Hat Day is back, taking place on Friday 25th March 2022! As the culmination of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, this fundraising ‘milestone’ is a great way to bring people together and raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research. Wear A Hat Day has become a nationally important fundraising and awareness event that people all across the UK (and beyond!) support every year. Sign up now and help us make Wear A Hat Day 2022 the biggest and hattiest yet!

We understand the power of statistics That's why we leave no stone unturned when it comes to the latest analysis surrounding the devastating impact of brain tumours in the UK. The shocking statistics speak for themselves: · Too many people are being faced with the devastating diagnosis each year – every two hours, someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour in England · In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour · Only 12% of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis, whereas over 70% of breast cancer and over 40% of leukaemia patients survive beyond five years · Brain tumours are the chief cause of cancer deaths in children and young people - in 2015, the number of children dying from cancer was 194, with brain tumours taking 67 young lives and leukaemia 46 · Brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer




ST PATRICKS DAY - MARCH 17TH 2022


This year, St. Patrick’s Day will be observed on Thursday, March 17. Although the holiday originally started as a Christian feast day celebrating the life of St. Patrick and the spreading of Christianity to Ireland, today, it is a day of revelry and a celebration of all things Irish. Don’t forget to wear green! Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with successfully spreading Christianity throughout Ireland—hence the Christian celebration of his life and name The shamrock: Did you know? The three-leaved plant, symbolic of Ireland and of St Patrick's Day has an important meaning for Christians. It is said to represent the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three leaves of a shamrock are also said to stand for faith, hope and love. A fourth leaf is said to be where we get the luck from - you may have heard of 'lucky clover'.

People take part in parades and dancing, eat Irish food, and enjoy huge firework displays. The day is also famous around the world for people wearing shamrocks, dressing up as bearded Irish fairies called leprechauns, and wearing all green.

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