Wednesday, March 13, 2019

90. Pancake Day Race! 5 March 2019


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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