Stir-up Sunday

We know that Christmas puddings should be given plenty of time mature before being eaten, but a Christmas pudding found last year in the back of a Dorset kitchen cupboard really does take this to the limit :-) The pudding is believed to be the oldest in the world and was originally one of many sent to Royal Navy personnel fighting in the Boer War in 1889.

If you’re thinking about making your own Christmas pudding this year, Stir-up Sunday on the 25th of November is traditionally the day for making it; giving it a whole month to mature before Christmas.
According to tradition, everyone in the family should stir the pudding and make a wish while stirring; and the pudding should have 13 ingredients to represent Christ and his disciples, and be stirred from east to west in honour of the three Kings who travelled from the East to see Jesus.

Here’s a recipe for an alcohol free child-friendly Christmas pudding from Annie’s Dorset Kitchen; and (via the Guardian) Granny Jane’s Christmas pudding from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of the famous River Cottage in Dorset.

The Great Pudding Stir takes place on the 8th December in the Victorian kitchen at The Priest's House Museum, Wimborne Minster. Visitors are encouraged to help stir the pudding, make a Christmas wish, and taste the final product. Admission is adults £1.50; children £1.

On the 15th December is The Great Lyme Regis Christmas Pudding Race, Marine Parade,Lyme Regis; in aid of Cancer Research UK. “The race will be open to teams of six who have to dress in Christmas costumes and complete an obstacle course carrying a Christmas pudding. And to add interest, team members have to build a Mr Potato Head face on the puddings and collect other Christmas trinkets as they negotiate the obstacles. The winning team will win the unique Lyme Regis Great Christmas Pudding Race trophy”. There’ll be lots of other entertainment including music, an appearance from Peppa Pig, and Santa's Grotto.

We offer a warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset this autumn and winter, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset?