Olney Pancake Race

On this day in 1445 in the town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, a lady was busy cooking her pancakes when she heard the church bells ring. Knowing this meant she was late, she set off to run to church still clutching her pan containing the pancake. The Vicar kissed her on arrival to thank her for her effort, and so began the world's first and oldest pancake race.

There may have been a few breaks but there has been a race most years since that first year with the winner still receiving a prize of a kiss from the Vicar. Most recently, there was a break during the Second World War but the race was revived in 1948. In 1950 the town of Liberal in Kansas, USA heard about it and set up their own race, challenging Olney to beat them. The two towns now compete against each other every year.

There was a good atmosphere around the town, with a marquee in the market place where TV celebrity chef Lesley Waters had been serving breakfasts and was hosting a 'Ready, Steady, Cook!' demonstration. Involving pancakes, of course. My picture is of a lady competing in her wheelchair but I've added some extras of the main race and some 'three-legged' entrants, plus the musical entertainment before the race.

Apologies to my Blipfriends; I'm not being a very good Blipper at the moment and still haven't caught up. I will do eventually!