IN this edition of nostalgia we are looking back at Easter in and around Cumbria. Today we look at Good Friday.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death. The date of the holiday varies each year, falling between March 20 and April 23, and it's always the Friday preceding Easter Sunday.  

Churches throughout Cumbria hold special services, some may even perform a Stations of the Cross procession.

In addition to religious observances, some traditional custom involves the baking and eating of hot cross buns, small spiced breads marked with a cross, which are enjoyed at breakfast or teatime.

Another tradition in some Cumbrian towns, though not specific to Good Friday, involves Easter "Pace Egg" plays.

These are traditional village plays, with themes of death and rebirth, that are usually performed by local children during Holy Week. You can see an example of this in one of the pictures at Kinder Park Nursery on Warwick Road in Carlisle in 2004 during the Easter bonnet extravaganza as Lucy Routlege aged two at the time is pictured with her ladybird pace egg.

As a bank holiday, many businesses are closed on Good Friday in Cumbria, and the long Easter weekend is often a time for family gatherings, meals, and outdoor activities, taking advantage of Cumbria's beautiful landscapes, including Lake District National Park.

Residents' observance of Good Friday will depend on individual beliefs and traditions. Some people may observe it quietly at home or use the time to take a short break or day out.