Pancakes take off as tradition revived

Look North's reporter lags behind the children of St Peter's school

Leeds Parish Church has joined Ripon Cathedral in reviving its tradition of Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday.  Children and young people from the parish school, St. Peter's Church of England Primary School in Lincoln Green, joined  with Boy and Girl Choristers, and members of the Junior Church group in reviving the races after a gap of several years.

Rector, Canon Tony Bundock takes the lead in clergy race

Two hundred and fifty pancakes were made by Create Cafe for the event. Clergy from the Parish Church, teachers and young people's leaders and Look North reporters also took part in the racing which took place along the south side of the church.

In Ripon teams of children joined teams of local businesses to take part in racing which began with the ringing of the ancient Pancake Bell. Crowds lined the ancient Ripon streets to cheer on competitors for the traditional event jointly organized by the Cathedral, the Army and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd Keith Jukes is pictured lining up at the West Front of the Cathedral for the first race against children from Ripon Cathedral primary school.  Roads were closed as several teams raced from the West Front along the cobbled Kirkgate.

Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day as it is often known, is the day before Ash Wednesday, the day which marks the start of the 40 days of the Christian season of Lent. Historically pancakes were served as a last feast, using up fat, butter, sugar and eggs, ingredients which are traditionally forbidden during the season of penitence and fasting. The date on which Shrove Tuesday falls varies from year to year.