The Poulters’ Company have organised pancake racing in Guildhall Yard for over twenty years, and the 20th Inter-Livery Pancake Races were due to be held this year on 13th February. Unfortunately, the weather conditions (heavy rainfall) meant that the “British Weather Clause” had to be implemented, which states that if the course is deemed unsafe for the pancake races, an alternative competition of pancake tossing will be completed.

Consequently, all Masters were duly lined up for the heats, inside the Crypts, frying pans at the ready. Tylers and Bricklayers were present in strength with around a dozen members and spouses loudly supporting our entrant, the Upper Warden, Jenny Rolls.

The tension was high as the Masters and Wardens all competed at incredible speed to toss their pancakes as many times as possible in one minute. There were strict penalties applied for dropped pancakes, incorrect tosses and other breaches of the rules!

To the delight of the Tylers and Bricklayers, Jenny managed to get through to the finals, with 67 tosses, a magnificent feat. The 10 finalists then lined up for the final toss up, with the excited crowd cheering on their own entrant. I think the Tylers and Bricklayers were the loudest supporters, especially as the race neared the end and it was evident that Jenny was doing really well, as the final whistle approached. And what a fantastic outcome – Jenny beat all the others to be crowned Victor Ludorum, with 80 tosses in one minute. What an incredible achievement and what an honour for the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers. Well done Upper Warden. This magnificent win has ensured a place for the Tylers and Bricklayers at next year’s pancake races when volunteers will be needed to make up a team!

Liveryman Michael Ash once again kindly agreed to sponsor this event. He sponsored Jenny as a contestant plus an additional sum if she won or was in a close finish. Liverymen, spouses and friends wearing a floral buttonhole on outer clothing and even shiny shoes were also kindly sponsored by Michael. This raised £359 for our charities. Thank you, Michael, for this generous gift.

Following all the excitement of the events, everyone was served some very welcome mugs of hot soup followed by a buffet lunch with wines, and, of course, pancakes, all supplied by The Clink.

A wonderful time was had by one and all once again.

Past Master - Michel Simaninden