| Where: | Olney, Bucks outside the Bull Hotel in the Market Square |
| When: | Shrove Tuesday |
| Time: | Entertainments from 10.30, Race 11.55 |
The Pancake Race at Olney is the best-known of its kind in the UK and beyond – there is even a “twin” event in Kansas! Competitors must be female residents of Olney but anyone can go to watch them race. The tradition supposedly began in the Fifteenth Century when a local housewife heard the ringing of the bell summoning the congregation to church while she was making her Shrove Tuesday pancakes – in a rush, she raced to church carrying her frying pan. Today the church bell ringing is still the signal for the race to begin and the competitors wear housewife costume of headscarf, skirt and apron; the course is 415 yards long and the pancakes must be tossed at the start and finish. The winner receives a kiss from the Verger at the end of the race, and a Shriving Service follows in the parish church.
Helpful Hints
You can buy tasty pancakes with traditional sugar and lemon accompaniment from a stall in the Market Square. Look out for the wall plaques marking the start and finish points, and the sign which features the race.
There’s a false start just before the race to give photographers a chance to take a picture at the off, then get to the finish line to watch the end of the race.
In 2025 Shrove Tuesday falls on 4th March.
Click here for the event website: http://olneypancakerace.org
and here for the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064633483644
Will the race be taking place despite the snow?
Hi Adele,
Calendar Customs has no direct connection with the organisation of the events featured on the site so I haven’t got any insider information but I’ve heard that so far it’s still going ahead- marquees are being put up etc. even though there is a covering of snow. I expect it will take place unless the weather is extreme.If in doubt tomorrow, try ringing a local business before setting off (there isn’t a Tourist Information Centre in Olney but if you click the link to Olney Online on the Olney Pancake Race page, you’ll find contact details there) Hope that helps!
Best wishes,
Averil
thanks for very helpful response x
Where do I contact to ask for permission to use this video for a TV show?
Sorry for the slow reply – you can find the video at https://www.newsflare.com/video/462508/olney-pancake-race-a-shrove-tuesday-tradition-dating-back-to-the-15th-century
Best wishes,
Averil