Discover the special story of Scarborough’s ‘Skipping Day’ with an unusual skipping rope and bell
Scarborough’s Skipping Day is a unique local tradition which began in the early 20th century and is still celebrated every Shrove Tuesday.
The event takes place along Foreshore Road, right by the seafront. Each Shrove Tuesday, Foreshore Road is closed to traffic so that the community can come together to skip.
Skipping rope
Scarborough Museums & Galleries
Historically, Scarborough’s fishermen provided their worn-out ropes, originally used for securing fishing nets and boats, to local children for skipping.
They had the benefit of being given freely to Scarborough families, but would have been very heavy and rough to handle. Their length did allow multiple skippers to join in at the same time.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Curfew and pancake bell
Scarborough Museums & Galleries
This bell originally hung in St Thomas’s Hospital, a medieval almshouse founded in 1154 to care for the elderly poor. The hospital stood between what are now North Street and St Thomas Street before its demolition in the 19th century.
Rung daily at 6am and 6pm as a curfew bell, it also had a special role on Shrove Tuesday. At noon, it signalled to housewives that it was time to begin making pancakes, a tradition rooted in using up rich ingredients before the fasting season of Lent.
After the hospital’s demolition, the bell was moved to the Rotunda Museum, where the mayor of Scarborough rang it each Shrove Tuesday. When the bell became cracked and unsafe, a handbell was briefly used until a new bell was installed at the end of North Street, funded by the Scarborough Civic Society.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Watch The Video
Explore rope from Scarborough’s collection in more detail and watch historic footage of skipping day in action, with thanks to Ryedale Folk Museum.
Watch The Video With Subtitles
Can you think why Scarborough fishermen might have given their old ropes to children?
How do you think the skipping rope felt when children used it?
How would you feel if you heard the Pancake Bell ringing to start Skipping Day?
Why do you think skipping is a good activity to celebrate together?
What other games would you play if you were part of Skipping Day?
Shrove Tuesday – Also called Pancake Day, this is the day before Lent begins, traditionally a time to use up foods like eggs
Lent – A time lasting 40 days leading up to Easter, when people sometimes give up certain foods or activities
Tradition – something special that people have done regularly for many years
Hands on History
You can still take part in Scarborough skipping day every year on Shrove Tuesday!
Find out more about the historic footage of Scarborough’s skipping day in Ryedale Folk Museum’s collection.
Museum Location
