Pancake Race In 1954 the old Shrovetide Custom of Pancake Races was revived in Whittington. The following article in March 1954 comes from a local newspaper. Mrs Owen wins by 4 lengths Pancakes were tossed in the little Staffordshire village of Whittington yesterday (Editor's note: Tuesday 2 March 1954) - from the inn up the hill to the gates of the parish church. Almost the whole village turned out to watch eight women competing in Whittington's first "Shrove Tuesday grand pancake race for housewives". Frying pans in hand, the eight ran and "flipped" their way for 300 yards up the main street of the village ... and not a pancake was dropped. It was all the idea of the vicar, the Rev. Robert W. D. Peck, who wanted to "stir up a bit of fun in the village". He succeeded, but his wife came in last. The sun shone as the eight competitors, average age about 44, queued up to pay their 6d. entrance fee to the vicar. Then they took their marks outside the Dog Inn, handicapped according to age and figure. Cheers all the way The race coincided with the school's half-day holiday and scores of children lined the route. Top-hatted Mr. Charles Nicholls, headmaster of Whittington school, dropped a handkerchief and the race began. Just 2 min. 35 sec. after the start 42 year-old Mrs. Cecily Owen, of Passes Road, passed the winning post first. Four frying-pan lengths behind came Mrs. Daisy Richardson, at 55 the oldest competitor. Mrs. Owen, who is the mother of a 16 year-old girl, received the winning prize of a new frying-pan. Mrs. Richardson, who lives in Yew Tree Cottages, was presented with ingredients for another pancake. But the biggest laugh of the day came when the vicar presented his wife, 44 year-old Mrs. Maria Peck, with a dozen new laid eggs as "booby prize".
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