Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2018 | Page 11

GIFTS AND
MOTHER’S DAY
The origins of Mothering Sunday in the UK date
back to the 16 th century, when people returned
to their ‘mother’ church, typically the church
where they were baptised or the main church
in their local area, on the Laetare Sunday – the
middle of Lent. It was the norm in those days
to receive mass in your ‘daughter’ church, the
closest church to your home, so this was a
day to make that extra special effort and offer
thanks to the Mother Mary – to go ‘a-mothering’.
The day quickly became a larger family reunion
and a rare chance for children working away
from home – often domestic servants – to return
and spend precious time with their mothers.
It is said that these workers would pick fresh
flowers to give their mothers after church, when
they would go home for a large Sunday dinner,
finished off with a rich Simnel cake.
However, it wouldn’t be until the 20 th century
for the day to become widespread in the UK. In
1913, a vicar’s daughter, Constance Smith was
inspired by a newspaper article reporting on
an American social-activist, Anna Jarvis, who
lobbied for an official day in the US to celebrate
Mothers. Following the death of her own
Mother, Smith pushed for a similar day in the
UK, founding the Mothering Sunday Movement,
and by 1938 the day had become a popular
celebration. Interestingly, neither Jarvis nor
Smith became Mothers themselves.
Started by the flower-picking workers in the
16th century, Mother’s Day has always been a
time to offer gifts. Flowers are still a beautiful
way to show your Mum you care, but this year
why not truly spoil her with a sparkling gift.
For more information, visit www.laingsuk.com
call 02380 226 653 or pop into the store at Westquay
www.visitilife.com
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