1 Maundy Thursday Is the Christian Holy Day Which Falls on the Thursday Before Easter

1 Maundy Thursday is the Christian Holy day which falls on the Thursday before Easter. It marks the night of the Last Supper as told in the Bible. Before the meal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to show that it is important to be helpful and serve others. In the UK the Queen traditionally gives out coins called Maundy Money. 2 Easter eggs. The egg is an ancient symbol of new life, associated with pagan festivals celebrating Spring. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century. Chocolate Easter eggs started in the 19th century with the first British dark chocolate eggs made by Cadbury’s in 1875. 3 Easter Sunday does not occur on the same date each year. Back in the 4th century it was decided that the date of Easter would be set for the first Sunday following the first full moon of Spring. March 22nd is the earliest day that Easter can occur and April 25th is the latest. 4 Ingredients used in a traditional Easter Simnel cake include: butter, brown sugar, eggs, self-raising flour, sultanas, currants, glace cherries, candied peel, lemon zest, ground mixed spice. For the decorating you will need almond paste, apricot jam and egg white. (Taken from a recipe by Mary Berry!) 5 How to say Happy Easter in: Welsh - Pasg Hapus, Italian - Buona Pasqua, Dutch - Vrolijk Pasen, German - Frohe Ostern, Spanish - Felices Pascuas. 6 In Florence, Italy the locals celebrate a 350-year-old tradition known as ‘Scoppio del Carro’ or ‘explosion of the cart’. An ornate cart packed with fireworks is lit by the Archbishop of Florence. In Finland children dress up like witches and go begging for chocolate eggs in the streets. They wear scarves, make up their faces and carry bunches of twigs decorated with feathers. In Poland there is an Easter tradition called ‘Smigus-dyngus’ when, on Easter Monday, the boys will throw buckets of water or squirt water guns on other people. Legend says that girls who get soaked will get married within the year! In Corfu, Greece, on the morning of Holy Saturday, people throw pots, pans and other earthenware out of their windows, smashing them on the street. The belief is that the throwing of pots welcomes Spring. 7 Some words made from the phrase Happy Easter: star, eat, pat, pate, shape, ray, pea, rest, rat, sherpa, sat, tea, stay, pray, yap, pay, step, tray, step, path, peat, sharp, pest, sea, east, sap, pasta, paste, hat, paste, trap. We are sure you will find many other words too! 8 Spring flowers: crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, tulips, camellia, lily of the valley, bluebell, snake’s head fritillary, allium. 9 a) Places in Windsor to buy a chocolate Easter egg: i) Hotel Chocolat, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose. ii) A bunch of flowers: Martin Crossley, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer. iii) An Easter card: Paperchase, Daniels, Temptations, WH Smiths, Waterstones, Huttons, Vinegar Hill, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer. iv) Hot Cross Buns: Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Heidi’s (in Daniels), Gail’s bakery (opening soon!). b) Churches, Chapels and places of Worship: Windsor Parish Church, All Saints Church, Windsor Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Garrison Church, St Edward’s RC Church, St Mark’s Catholic Church, St Stephen and St Agnes Church, Windsor Methodist Church, Christ Church URC, St Agnes Church, St George’s Chapel (in the grounds of Windsor Castle), All Saints Chapel, Eton College Chapel. c) Parks in Windsor: Windsor Great Park, Alexandra Gardens, Home Park, Bachelor’s Acre, Jubilee Fountain. 10 The story of the Easter Bunny: The rabbit is connected with the Spring holiday as it represents fertility and rebirth. The Easter bunny originated in Germany and legend says he carried coloured eggs, sweets and sometimes toys to the children’s homes. Things are far from normal at the moment due to Coronavirus and regrettably many of our lovely attractions, accommodation providers, shops and restaurants have had to close for a while and events have been cancelled or postponed. Why not sign up for the official Visit Windsor Enewsletter on our website? We’ll update you when things settle down and the Royal Borough can welcome you again. www.windsor.gov.uk Follow us on Twitter: @VisitWindsor Follow us on Instagram: @VisitWindsorUK Like us on Facebook: @VisitWindsorUK .

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