Everyone in Hitchin had ‘flipping’ good fun during the town’s annual pancake day race held today.
Enthusiastic crowds turned out this lunchtime encouraged the calm and dry conditions to watch the six races – successfully organised by Hitchin Priory Rotary Club.
The course that took in St Mary’s churchyard made for an exciting spectacle and raised money for Letchworth’s Garden House Hospice, as well as other Rotary causes.
The fancy dress race was won by Laura Calvert who was dressed as a strawberry who was from Bancroft firm HRJ Foreman Laws – with a wheelchair event contested for the first time by residents at Highbury Rise care home in Highbury Road.
Care home manager Linda Pennells told the Comet: “All our residents had a great time today.
“They really enjoyed the whole event. They were given pancakes, and Peter Lilley MP presented them all with a box of chocolates afterwards.
“What a lovely day it was.”
Following the races, Peter Lilley presented the prizes, trophies and certificates to the winners and runners-up which saw the pancake, hot-dogs and mulled wine stalls continue to supply their wares in a crowded Market Place.
Mike Mackenzie from Hitchin Priory Rotary Club added: “All those taking part were heartily cheered along the pancake-strewn course.
“One pancake was dropped within a few feet of the start. Many others were dropped further along the way, particularly at the church doors, where the exuberant pancake tossing took place.
“We’re grateful to the people of Hitchin who attended, and also to the brochure advertisers and various sponsors, for helping to raise money for Garden House Hospice and other Rotary charities.”
Race results were as follows:
Gentlemen’s Race: winner, George Dench, from Handelsbanken. Runner up: Declan Marron, Norgans.
Ladies’ A Race: winner, Becky George, Satchells. Runner up: Jasmine Kitchener, Country Properties.
Ladies’ B Race: winner, Leane Cavialiere, Talents. Runner up: Becky Hedger, Country Properties.
Fancy Dress Race: winner, Laura Calvert, HRJ Foreman laws. Runner up: Kate Overton, HRJ Foreman laws.
Flip Connect Race: winner, Ben Smith, Flip Connect. Runner up: Russell Dawson, Flip Connect.
LV= Race: winner, Louis Horn, LV. Runner up: Helen Gifffin, LV.
Best Fancy Dress, Gentlemen: Fire Brigade. Ladies: Hitchin Markets.
Young at Heart Wheelchair Push: contested by residents of Highbury Rise care home.
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