Hitchin Priory Annual Pancake Festival 2017

The Festival is organised to provide entertainment for the people of Hitchin and to raise funds for Garden House Hospice Care and for other Rotary charities.

On Saturday 25th Feburary, we had the Fayre on the Square, when we took over Hitchin Marketplace with stalls selling pancakes, mulled wine and bacon rolls; a bric-a-brac stall, tombola, "guess the number of corks" competition, live music from a local group called SG4, recorded music and his usual entertaining commentary from Paul Mailes of After Dark PA; bouncy castle; kiddies' corner; skittles; local crafts and much more.

Tuesday, the 28th, was the day of the Pancake Races which were run in the grounds of St. Mary's church. Pancakes, mulled wine and bacon rolls were again available on the Market Square. There were about 80 competitors.

We were fortunate to have dry weather for both days and, despite it being rather cold and a trifle windy at times, the event was a great success, although footfall was disappointingly low for much of the time. However, everyone seemed to enjoy the festival.

On behalf of Garden House Hospice Care and the other charities supported by the club, we are hugely grateful for the support and help we had from our advertisers; from the corporate and individual sponsors of races, race and tombola prizes and food and entertainment stall suppliers; the rector of St Mary's and his curate; Paul Mailes and After Dark PA; the Town Rangers; members of other Hitchin Rotary clubs; and all those who took part in the Races.

2017 Pancake Race Winners

Gentlemen’s Race
Winner:    Leo Allen of Waitrose
2nd:    George Dench of Handelsbanken   

Ladies’ Race A
Winner:    Liz Peel of Garden House Hospice Care
2nd:     Munna Islam of Archers came first but graciously conceded first place to Liz Peel

Ladies Race B
Winner:    Amanda Mackie of Sainsbury’s
2nd:    Lianna Cavaliere of Talents

Fancy Dress Race A
Winner:    Foreman Laws Team (Steven Haynes, Nick Davies)
2nd:    Country Properties Team (Jasmine Woodley, Becky Hedger, Sophie Lenard, Joshua Brand)

Fancy Dress race B
Winner:    Graeme Saunders of Marks & Spencer
2nd:    Iyesha Conteh of Marks & Spencer

Fancy Dress Race C
Winner:    Fortune Finance Team (Mark Seddon, Mary Miceli, Rachel Hall, Josh Holby)
2nd:    Clare Staddon of Garden House Hospice Care

Flip Connect Race
Winner:    Jamie Lewis
2nd:    Amy Veasey

LV= Race
Winner:    Rob Valdis
2nd:    Kyle Parris

Young at Heart
Winners:  All of them  - 6 residents in wheelchairs, plus their helpers, from Highbury Rise Care Home

Best Fancy Dress
Winner:    Hitchin Fire Station
2nd    Hitchin Markets

Congratulations to all of them and thanks to all the others who took part.

Mike Mackenzie
Rotary Club of Hitchin Priory
Date Added:- 02/03/2017