The clocks went forward in the night to "British Summer Time" so all the children were still asleep but some of the mothers came to church and were given flowers for Mothering Sunday as well as some of the Simnel Cake.
According to my recipe book, a brother and sister (Simon and Nell) were going to visit their mother and couldn't agree on whether to take her a boiled cake or a baked cake. So they each made their own and then stuck the two together with almond icing (marzipan). that's how we come to have the sticky layer in the middle of the cake which they named after themselves: Sim and Nel.
Well, it has become a custom to eat Simnel Cake at Easter, hence the eleven marzipan balls to represent the eleven loyal disciples (omitting Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus).
Whatever the origin of the custom, it's a Church festival which gives thanks for all our experiences of mothering, caring, looking after and being loved -- in the first place (and ultimately) by God who is the source of all love.
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