Despite the wintery weather, several people stopped to be ashed or ask about it.
Ash Wednesday is an important day in the Christian calendar, marking the start of Lent: a six-week period of reflection leading to Easter.
Ashing is a Christian ritual performed on Ash Wednesday. It involves marking people on their forehead with an ash cross, using burnt palm leaves that have completely cooled down.
After being outside for 90 minutes, we returned to the warmth of the BNBR Life Centre for a hot drink and an Ash Wednesday communion service led by Sue Leather, the Anglican Chaplain.
The Christian Chaplaincy team has provided Ash Wednesday ashing on campus for several years now, always attracting a good uptake and interested questions.
Hopefully Ash Wednesday 2027 will be bathed in warm sunshine like in 2025!