Enter a Team for the Ely Standard Pancake Race

JOIN the Ely Standard for some flipping good fun on Shrove Tuesday (February 16).

Never a team to shy away from a challenge, the Ely Standard editorial and advertising departments have dusted off their frying pans ready for the second-coming of the Ely Standard Pancake Race

The event is being held once more on Ely Market Place with the fun set to begin at 12.30 on February 16.

Last year brave teams from Ely fire station, Star Radio, ADeC and Waitrose signed up to compete against reporting and advertising staff from the Ely Standard, while editor Debbie Davies and the team whipped up the pancakes back at our Market Street office.

Vouchers for a free pancake - courtesy of Waitrose - were also handed out to all competitors. Winners of the team race were Star Radio who are the holders of the Ely Standard's own plated pancake frying pan

SHROVE Tuesday, better known as Pancake Day, is a tradition steeped in history.

A Christian festival, it heralds a rush-round to use up all the household ingredients before the start of Lent, when many traditional Christians fast.

Pancakes - made from a simple concoction of our back-of-the-larder ingredients - eggs, flour, butter and milk - became the staple of choice - and as a carbohydrate-packed snack, they lined fasting Lent-observers stomachs ready for a 40-day haul.

A pancake race soon became tradition in most English towns and villages - but as health and safety cultures abounded, many organisations and councils have called time on Pancake Fun.

INFO: There are still places for teams of four and individual races available. Email: Daniel.mansfield @archant.co.uk or phone 01353 667831.

Signing up can be done from 9.45am on the morning of the race at the Ely Standard office, but, if possible, notify in advance so we can make space for all the teams. Please bring your own frying pan if you intend to compete, or come and cheer on the competitors on Market Place.