The drizzle didn’t get anybody’s spirits down at the annual Hitchin pancake races this lunchtime, with thousands raised for good causes.
The pancake-flipping fundraisers whipped around St Mary’s Church in all sorts of colourful costumes, from fluorescent pink T-shirts to a cheerful lion get-up, during the town’s 20th annual pancake festival.
Hugh Maisey, part of the Hitchin Priory Rotary Club organising team, told the Comet this afternoon that they estimated their takings for this Shrove Tuesday as being about £8,500.
He said: “We’re lucky that in Hitchin there’s such an active community, and that when something like this is going on people come out and have a look.
“A lot of people come down to watch the races, and we had a good turnout.”
There were seven races from 11.30am onwards – with races for ladies, gentlemen and fancy dress runners, as well as a ‘young at heart’ wheelchair charge.
Prizes were given out afterwards in Market Place, where town centre manager Keith Hoskins was accompanied by incoming Hitchin BID manager Tom Hardy.
Keith said: “This was our first chance to introduce Tom publicly, although he doesn’t start with us until March 1.
“Thanks to all at Hitchin Priory Rotary Club for their unflagging efforts making this such a fun annual event in the face of such uncertain weather.”
As well as pancake races, there was music, refreshments and kids’ games including archery and skittles.
The Rotarians are set to bring out pancakes again in a three months when they put on a festival of May Day fun – hopefully, in the sun.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here