Many villages across the UK will have celebrated this traditional feast day, but not many ran the risk of free roaming donkeys getting involved in the final race and cries of ‘Don’t let the donkeys
Many villages across the UK will have celebrated this traditional feast day, but not many ran the risk of free roaming donkeys getting involved in the final race and cries of ‘Don’t let the donkeys eat the pancakes!’
Brockenhurst takes this annual event very seriously, closing off the village centre and running 9 different races. Entrants include local school and nursery children, businesses and village groups and the Women’s Institute.
Race winners were given medals and there were sweets for all particpants.
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, with Shrove Tuesday being a day 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.
Tossing or flipping the pancakes has always been part of the ritual and the ingredients have a particular meaning too:-
- Eggs – creation
- Flour – the staff of life
- Salt – Wholesomeness
- Milk – Purity
Way back in 1619 Pasquil’s Palin wrote:
“ And away men and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne.”