Brockenhurst WI flips out in annual pancake relay

This week we bring you a guest blog from Brockenhurst. Thanks so much to Suzanne Ashworth for sharing this news, and for the picture – taken on the annual Flip Out Pancake Races day.“Proudly wearing our WI aprons, our team from Brockenhurst WI braved a chilly Shrove Tuesday to compete in the village ‘Flip out’ pancake races. As we entered the Walking Relay race, we enjoyed the cheers from the crowds!

“We were sticklers for the rules – flipping our pancakes, and never dropping one.... But we didn’t strike gold this time. A shame. It’s the taking part that counts of course.

“The day is always brilliant though, and Brockenhurst really makes this a big annual event, closing off the village centre and running 9 different races. Many villages across the UK will have celebrated this traditional feast day, but not many will have run the risk of free-roaming donkeys getting involved in the final race - to cries of ‘Don’t let the donkeys eat the pancakes!’

“Did you know? It is believed pancake races date back to 1445 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, when a lady rushed to the church on hearing the “shriving” bell, forgetting she still had a frying pan in her hand! Shriving was a time to confess any sins and be absolved; and Shrove Tuesday is a change to use up any eggs and fat before the start of Lent. The earliest mention of a pancake recipe was in a cookery book from 1439!

“As well as Brockenhurst WI always enthusiastically entering a team, other entrants include local school and nursery children, businesses, and other village groups. It’s a wonderful event. We hope you like our team picture, and we’ll meet our challengers again next year for a rematch!”