If one wanted to witness an occasion during the year where
the Livery truly ‘lets its hair down’ then look no further than the annual
Pancake Day race in the Guildhall Yard. Sheer lunacy! Where else could one find
a body of (normally) sane, rational and sensible people gather together in
funny robes and fancy dress to run around tossing pancakes? So wonderfully
British! It is an event which the Water Conservators have always supported and
so I was proud to lead the team into battle and to collect what spoils of
victory we could – and we very nearly did so!
Held on each Shrove Tuesday and under the masterful
supervision of the Worshipful Company of Poulters, the Livery Pancake Day Race
comprises of four key races and a fancy-dress competition. Firstly, there is a
Masters Race followed by a Liveryman Race; then comes the Ladies Race before
all sense of decorum and order is abandoned for the Fancy-Dress Race. The
Company team therefore comprised respectively of the Master, Liveryman Andrew
Williamson, the Mistress and the Fleet Warden, Rob Casey (see picture). We were
fortunate to have as our (non-running) Team Captain the Deputy Master, Mike
Williamson who was able to ensure team training, fitness and tactics were of
the highest order (not!) in readiness for the gruelling challenges ahead. We
put on a good performance…
The Yard was set out with five running lanes along its
length and participants had to don apron, chef’s hat and gloves before grasping
their frying pan – complete with pancake – before hurling themselves down the
course and back again. In the middle of the outbound and inward lap a discrete
‘tossing station’ was clearly marked and points were deducted if an appropriate
‘toss’ was not completed – the downfall of many a fast runner it turned out.
And remember, we were all wearing our gowns and badges of office to boot!
Ridiculous!
After registration and signing the vital disclaimer against
injury, we collected our aprons etc and made ready. Words of welcome were given
by the Chief Commoner and principle guests included the Lady Mayoress and
Sheriff the Hon Liz Green. There was a real party atmosphere as the first race
– the Masters – got underway. Running in lane five, your Master did complete
the course and wasn’t last but a place in the final was sadly denied him!
Not so for the Liveryman Race where we finished first and therefore
earnt a place in the final. The least said about the Ladies Race the better but
at least the Mistress made it to the end and didn’t drop her pancake. There was
no danger of her being called on to run again however. Then it was time for the
fancy-dress.
Before the actual race, judging took place led by the distinguished
guests. The sight of circa twenty members of the City of London Livery dressed
as they were in all manner of outfits is a memory to savour (see picture). Our
Fleet Warden took the form of a Shark to reflect our current support of the
Plastic Free City campaign and he was adorned with pieces of single-use plastic
to emphasise the point. One suspects the subtlety of this was lost on the
judges as we didn’t make it into the final three. But our point was well made.
In his race the Fleet Warden did well but not quite well
enough. So all eyes were therefore on the final of the Liveryman Race and the
scent of victory was in our nostrils. Our boy done well but was beaten into
second place by a last-minute dash for the line. So close! But of course, it’s
not the winning but the taking apt that counts and the Water Conservators gave
a good account of themselves.
And then we repaired to the Crypt for some welcome
refreshments.
A great day out and thanks to all those who took part and to
the organisers for all their hard work. You really had to be there….
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