Slideshow: 200 pancakes tossed in flipping good races

Ripon Pancake Races. The Dean of Ripon John Dobson keeps his eye on fellow competitor Verger Philip Bustard

As usual the event, organised by Ripon Festivals with the support of Ripon Rotary Rowels, attracted teams of school children from primary schools around Ripon, as well as from afar afield as Markington.

The Pancake Races were started by the Mayor of Ripon, Coun Pauline McHardy, with a civic team made up of Ripon councillors joined by Councillors Nick Brown and Ian Galloway from the rural area.

They were followed by the cathedral team, led by Dean John Dobson with the clergy all splendid in their ropes.

It was then the turn of the school children to come under the starting orders of County Councillor Bernard Bateman, with 12 teams taking part.

These were followed by teams from Ripon Rotary, Ripon Museums, Hemmingway’s, I Love Ripon, Evolve and other businesses and organisations.

Tim Jones, chairman of Ripon Festivals, expressed the group’s thanks to Ripon Rotary Rowels, whose great support makes it possible to stage the event.

Mr Jones also thanked Coun Michael Chambers and the chefs of 21 Royal Engineers Regiment at Ripon for preparing and providing the more than 200 pancakes, with ingredients provided by Select Foods and Don Grundy.

Every person taking part received a certificate and a Cadbury Cream Egg donated by Mr Johnson, of Hemingway’s Ltd, which he has done for several years.

Coun Bateman, who reintroduced the pancake races 18 years ago with former Dean John Methwin, said: “Thanks go to several people who helped make the event possible, plus the weather.”