Frying pans at the ready - the historic Olney Pancake Race returns on Shrove Tuesday, February 17.
It follows a great tradition; the race is reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has certainly run every year since 1948, except for 2021.
The children’s races will take place at 10am and the main race at 11.55am. All the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service held in the Church of St Peter and St Paul immediately after the race.
The service will include some of the famous Olney Hymns, written by Rev. John Newton and the poet William Cowper, in particular, the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.
On the day, the focus will be in the Market Place, with a special ticketed pancake breakfast, cookery demonstration and, as the race takes place in school half-term, lots of extra activities planned.
You can meet Fred, Homepride’s bowler-hat-wearing Chief Flour Grader, listen to the Scottish pipers and the fairground organ, watch Great Gappo in action, and meet the local Fire Station crew.
Naturally, pancakes will be flipped and served, too!
For more details of what’s happening when, and all the amazing raffle prizes, go to www.olneypancakerace.org
