THE arrival of Lent today has left the great and good of York and North Yorkshire with some tough decisions to make about what they will give up this year.

Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days until Easter Sunday, is traditionally a time for self-denial.

City of York Council leader Andrew Waller reflected on his attempts at abstinence in the past: “I’ve given up chocolate for Lent before, but that’s agony,” he said. Coun Waller said he is therefore set on a different course this year. He said: “Rather than giving something up I’ll be taking something on, which is to visit more relatives.”

When asked if he would be giving anything up for Lent, Graham Hutchinson, the pastor of York Elim Pentecostal Church, said: “Not at all. Jesus wants my commitment all year round rather than just giving up chocolates for a few weeks before Easter. He went on to say that Easter is really important to him as a Christian.

He said: “It’s because it is about the death and resurrection of Christ, but Lent is not a part of our tradition.”

Labour MP for York, Hugh Bayley, said that he had not thought about it at all and was not intending to give anything up.

Selby Labour MP John Grogan declared his commitment to the season of Lent.

Mr Grogan said: “As a Catholic I will be attending mass on Ash Wednesday and fasting and abstaining from meat on both that day and on Good Friday.

“The moment during mass when the congregation approaches the alter and one by one the Priest anoints our foreheads, saying ‘from dust you came and to dust you will return’, always makes an impression on me.

“It reminds us of the importance of making the most of every day of our lives."


Kate O’Loughlin asked York shoppers about their Lenten promises:

Paul Dambrauskas, 24, of Huntington, said: “I guess I could give up smoking, does that count?”

John Tasker, 77, of York, said: “As a non-believer I won’t be giving anything up. Good Heavens, no.”

Katy Sterriker, 18, of Malton, said: “I’ve thought about giving up Cadbury’s Creme Eggs!”

Clare Foxton, 19, of Pickering, said: “Probably chocolate. I think I can manage it”.

Harriet Barham, 27, of Acomb, said: “I’ll be giving up drink. I do it every year.”