Shrove Tuesday for most people means pigging out on pancakes, but there is so much more to the day. From old local customs to wacky races, there are quirky events taking place all over the UK. Contrary Life brings you a selection of our favourite events…
Olney Pancake Race, Shrove Tuesday, Olney Buckinghamshire
Olney Pancake Race
When: 17th February 2015, 11.55am
Where: Olney, Buckinghamshire
£: Free to watch. The race is open to local women to compete in.
What is it?
Every Shrove Tuesday, Olney Pancake Race sees local women dressed as traditional housewives run through the town, armed with a frying pan and pancake. This famous custom first took place in 1445 and was revived in 1948 by the Vicar of Olney. It’s uncertain how the race at Olney originated but one story is that a harassed housewife, hearing the shriving bell, dashed off to church still clutching her frying pan containing a pancake.
In 1950 the race became an international event, after a challenge was received from the town of Liberal in Kansas (USA). Olney readily accepted the challenge and, in a spirit of international goodwill and friendship, the two towns now compete annually and prizes are exchanged.
The race in Olney is run from the Market Place to a point midway down Church Lane, a distance of 415 yards. Warning bells are rung from the church steeple and the race is started using the large bronze ‘Pancake Bell’. Pancakes are tossed by the competitors at the start and the winner is required to toss her pancake again at the finish. She then receives a traditional kiss from the Verger.
More info: olneypancakerace.org and www.facebook.com/pages/Olney-Pancake-Race
Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football
When: 17th & 18th February 2015
Where: Ashbourne, Derbyshire
£: Free to watch
What is it?
Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football is a game played in the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. It is thought to date back hundreds of years. This quirky football match is played over two eight hour periods, with goals placed 3 miles apart and with very few rules!
The game is played with a leather ball which has a cork inner. The ball is thrown into the air and into the awaiting crowd of players or ‘hug’. The players then try to move the ball to their goal by pushing against the opposition.
The two teams are made up of locals, known as the Down’ards and Up’ards, which are defined by side of the Henmore Brooke they were born on. Those born on the south are Down’ards and try to goal the ball at the old Clifton Mill and those born on the north are Up’ards and try to goal the ball at the old Sturston Mill.
Spectators are welcome to watch (and follow) the game as it moves through the streets of the town, over local fields and in the river.
More info: www.shrovetide.net and www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Shrovetide-Players
Scarborough Skipping Day
When: 17th February 2015, 12pm – 5pm
Where: South Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
£: Free
What is it?
Every year on Shrove Tuesday, Scarborough closes the Foreshore Road to allow people to partake in the town’s tradition of skipping. This has been an annual tradition for over 100 years and it gives adults a chance to mess around on the seafront without feeling childish!
The other custom which is still observed at Scarborough is the ringing of the Pancake Bell. The bell is usually rung by the Mayor.
More info: www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/scarborough
The Atherstone Ball Game
When: 17th February 2015, from 3pm
Where: Atherstone, Warwickshire
£: Free
What is it?
Similar to Ashbourne’s Shrovetide Football game, the Atherstone Ball Game sees locals playing a traditional and unruly match across the town. This ancient Shrove Tuesday tradition is thought to be over 800 years old. The game tends to get the townsfolk literally brawling over a large ball as it moves up and down the town’s small ancient streets.
Because of this the shops are usually boarded up and the schools closed. Atherstone locals usually gather in the main street at 3pm. The only rule to the game is that the ball must not leave the town. The winner is the person holding onto the ball at 5pm.
More info: www.atherstone-tc.gov.uk
Fancy dress is essential for the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race
Great Spitalfields Pancake Race
When: 17th February 2015 at 12.30pm
Where: Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 6QL
£: Free
What is it?
The annual Great Spitalfields Pancake Race sees teams of four race up and down Dray Walk to raise funds for London’s Air Ambulance.
Teams wishing to take part should be suitably dressed up (or down) for the race as prizes are awarded for the best dressed team. There are also prizes for the winners, runners-up, and best behaved teams. And because it is Pancake Day, there is a free hot pancake for every entrant.
More info: www.alternativearts.co.uk
Lichfield Shrovetide Fair and Pancake Toss
When: 17th February 2015 at 11am
Where: Market Square and Bore Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire
£: Free
What is it?
In Lichfield the Shrovetide ‘Old Fair’ was probably in existence long before it was confirmed by Royal Charter of James I in 1623, and today it is still opened with an ancient ceremony. The civic procession arrives at the Market Square for 12 noon, when the Town Crier makes a proclamation to open the fair. This is followed by the ‘pan on bell’ sounding from St Mary’s steeple. Local children, led by the Mayor and city officials, then rush to claim their traditional free ride.
Originally the court of “Pie Powdre” would have been held in the Guildhall for “the redressing of all grievances or complaints that shall happen to arise during the time of the fair”, but today this has been replaced with the more recent and fun custom of pancake races.
More info: www.lichfield.gov.uk
St Columb Silver Ball Hurling
When: 17th February & 28th February 2015
Where: Fore Street, St Columb, Cornwall
£: Free
What is it?
Hurling the Silver Ball in St Columb takes place on Shrove Tuesday and the second Saturday after, every year. The game was once widely played in Cornwall, but now only a few places still observe the custom. The game is similar to other traditional ball games held across the UK, but this version with a silver ball is unique to Cornwall.
The game usually starts at 4.30pm with the throw-up in Market Square and is followed by a large scrum. The goals are set about two miles apart, at either end of the town. The winner is the person who manages to get the silver ball over the goal or boundary. The winner is then carried on the shoulders of two team mates back to Market Square, as a traditional hurling song is sung.
At 8pm the winner returns to Market Square to call up the ball again. This is followed by a visit to the local public houses where the ball is immersed in large beer jugs.
More info: www.visitnewquay.org/events/hurling-the-silver-ball-st-columb-major
Lentsherd
When: 17th February 2015
Where: Clovelly, near Bideford, Devon
£: Free after 4.30pm
What is it?
Head to the village of Clovelly in Devon to celebrate the old custom, Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’), which takes place annually on Shrove Tuesday.
At dusk, children walk to the harbour, dragging clattering tin cans tied to string as they go. The cans are then tied together and thrown into the sea (and later retrieved). The aim is to rid Clovelly of all the bad things from the previous year by chasing bad spirits away and driving the devil into the sea before Lent.
Children taking part can enjoy building a free pancake with ice cream, squirty cream, fruit syrups, lemon juice and sugar, and sprinkles. But don’t worry, grown-ups can enjoy a pancake too, with fillings such as chocolate Baileys ice cream and orange syrup, and vanilla ice cream with berries in Cognac (£3.50 each).
More info: www.clovelly.co.uk
Lord Redesdale crossing the finish line to win the race at last year’s Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race.
Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race
When: 17th February 2015, 10am
Where: Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, London SW1P 3JA
£: Free to watch
What is it?
The annual Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race features MPs, Lords and political correspondents competing against one another in aid of Rehab. Rehab is an organisation that works with disabled people and others who are marginalised. For 17 years now, this spectacle has been taking place in the shadow of Big Ben, with this year’s eggstravaganza to take place on Shrove Tuesday.
MPs, Lords and political editors have been dusting off their trainers and attending fittings for their pinnies and chefs’ hats as they prepare to line out for the race that pits members of both Houses of Parliament against each other and against members of the media. The event is a huge draw for tourists, Londoners and global media, who all flock to see the politicians and media as they have never seen them before.
More info: www.rehab.ie/pancake-race
Better Bankside Charity Pancake Race
When: 17th February 2015, 12.30pm – 2pm
Where: Borough Market, London
£: Free to watch. Teams of four take part and raise money for charity. Visit the website to enter.
What is it?
The Pancake Flipping Relay Races see local offices gather teams together to compete in this annual event. The races are held in Borough Market’s Jubilee Place with the aim of raising money for charity. On the day there will be music and food (including pancakes) for spectators to enjoy.
More info: www.betterbankside.co.uk/events
Pancake Flipping Contest at Blists Hill
Pancake Day at Blists Hill
When: 17th February 2015 at 12pm
Where: Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire
£: Admission costs £16.50 for adults, £13 for those over 60 and £11 for children. An annual Passport ticket is also available.
What is it?
Visitors to Blists Hill Victorian Town can watch the annual Pancake Flipping Contest held outside the Print Shop at 12 noon on Shrove Tuesday.
Everyone is encouraged to cheer on the participants who must all wear an apron and flip their pancakes as many times as possible in the one minute allocated. The Victorian policeman will be attendance to ensure fair play by all and the village school teacher will be handing out certificates to the winners. After the contest visitors can have a go at pancake flipping themselves.
More info: www.ironbridge.org.uk
Littlehampton Charity Pancake Olympics
When: 14th February 2015, 11am – 1pm
Where: High Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex
£: Free to watch
What is it?
The Littlehampton Charity Pancake Olympics sees local groups of all ages compete in pancake themed events to raise money for their chosen charities, and win prestigious gold, silver and bronze frying pans! The gold team will win £100 for their charity.
There will be three disciplines in the Olympics, which of course involve pancakes. This year there will be an extra theme, based around Valentine’s Day. This year’s themed games will include cupid curling, romantic relay and flirty flipping.
More info: www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk
The Poulters’ Pancake Race
When: 17th February 2015, 12pm
Where: Guildhall Yard, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HH
£: Free to watch
What is it?
In 2004 The Worshipful Company of Poulters inaugurated the City’s inter-livery pancake race. This event now takes place annually in the Guildhall Yard at 12 noon on Shrove Tuesday. It sees the The Livery Companies of the City of London competing against one another in their regalia or fancy dress. The Livery Companies of the City of London are the historic trade associations which were originally responsible for the regulation of trades such as clock making and gun making.
Each team consists of four competitors who compete for a frying pan trophy. Traditionally the Gunmakers start each heat with a bang and the Clerk to the Clockmakers takes care of timing the races. The Fruiterers provide lemons, the Cutlers provide plastic forks, the Glovers provide the white gloves worn by each runner, and the Poulters supply the all important eggs for making the pancakes.
More info: www.clockmakers.org/events-2/events/the-poulters-pancake-race
World Pancake Racing Championships
When: 17th February 2015, from 12.15pm
Where: Princesshay Square, Bedford St, Exeter, Devon
£: Free to watch. It costs £40 for a team of four to enter, and teams should help raise money for charity.
What is it?
This Shrove Tuesday sees the 2nd annual World Pancake Racing Championships take place in Exeter. Local teams will take part in pancake tossing knock-out relay races. The first entire team to cross the finish line is the winner. Prizes include a giftcard, a trophy and dinner for two.
Members of the public can also see how fast they can complete the ’20m Pancake Challenge’ on South West Athletics Academy’s portable track, either side of the main races. Will you be their 2015 champion?
More info: www.wackynation.com/currentevents/pancake-race
The Breakfast Club Pancake Day Challenge
When: 17th February 2015
Where: At Breakfast Club cafes, London
£: Free if you win!
What is it?
If none of the other events take your fancy, and you do indeed want to just pig out on pancakes, then why not do it in aid of charity? The Breakfast Club is once again challenging its customers to eat 12 pancakes in 12 mins or less. If you win you eat for free, but if you lose you must pay the full price! All the profits from the event are given to the Breakfast Club’s chosen charities.
More info: www.facebook.com/TheBreakfastClubCafes