AS an 82-year-old widower, on Shrove Tuesday I tried making pancakes for the first time in my life, and quite a hash I made of it, though with the usual added lemon and sugar it was palatable.

Pancake races always feature yearly in both the Echo and on TV regional news.

However, Ash Wednesday is never ever mentioned.

Yes, most of us know it is the first day of Lent, Lent from Ash Wednesday to Easter, a commemoration of the fasting of Christ in the wilderness.

But does anyone fast in the 21st century?

And why Ash Wednesday? According to my dictionary it is from the custom of sprinkling ashes on the head.

I have never heard of anyone having ashes sprinkled on their head at any time.

Does anyone know when this custom was carried out?

Or did it have anything to do with wigs in particular? Just a thought.

What possible use or benefit could it have?

Could it possibly be to keep nits in check if you fast in the wilderness?

That’s the best answer I can possibly think of.

P WAREHAM, Haymoor Road, Poole