Page 50 - Phonebox Magazine December 2014

Pancake Day 17th February 2015
Yes it is that time of year again when we ask the Ladies of Olney to shake of those winter blues, pick up their frying pan, put on their apron and headscarf and charge off down the High Street, tossing a pancake as they go. Why? Because 17th February is Shrove Tuesday and as most people know, this is Pancake Day, and in Olney it is a very special day as this is the home of the original Pancake Race of 1445. Preparations are well in hand for another fun-packed day in the town, but there is one thing missing, and that is a good team of runners to create the spectacle that so many people come to Olney to watch and cheer on. So ladies of 18 years and upwards who have lived in the town for three months this is your chance to gain International stardom and earn a bob or two at the same time. How can this be? Well the prize money can add up to over £300 for the Olney winner who runs a faster time than Liberal, USA and so is crowned the International Pancake Race Winner for 2015. Entry forms will be available from the Nat West Bank in Olney early in January so make sure of your place on the start line outside The Olney Deli by filling in and returning your form to the Bank in good time and use
Willen Hospice
On Thursday 6th November, Willen Hospice held an evening event at its Olney shop to launch the Christmas
shopping range available in Willen Hospice shops for 2014.
Willen Hospice shops offer a vital outlet to raise funds towards the £4.6 million running costs needed by the Hospice every year. Staff and trustees were joined by guest of honour, the Mayor of Milton Keynes Derek Eastman and the Mayor of Olney Stephen Clark.
Guests enjoyed the opportunity to browse the new Christmas range of gifts, decorations and homeware available at all Willen Hospice shops, as well as seeing many examples of second-hand designer evening wear available for the party season. 50 Phonebox Magazine
your entry to get yourself sponsored to raise money for your chosen charity if you so wish.
Pancake Day 2015 falls in the half term which will mean a lot more activity in the town than usual and the organizing Committee are pulling out all the stops to make it an extra special day. The large Dupont marquee will be the centre-piece on the Market Place with the well known TV Chef Lesley Waters giving cooking demonstrations and mingling with the crowds, sharing her love of food.
The Children’s Races, such a popular part of the festivities for tiny tots up to Ousedale Campus age, will this year, due to half term holiday, rely heavily on parents making sure their prodigies are on time together with pan and pancake ready for our invited guests to set them off with the famous Olney Pancake Bell which resides for the rest of the year in the Museum.
As the tension builds towards the main race and the crowds build, pancakes are served on the Market place and in the Church Hall together with light refreshments. Childrens entertainers walk amongst the crowds and we hope to have one or two small fairground rides to keep the little ones amused. Our regular and very popular commentators will keep everyone informed and amused with roving
interviews with runners guests and organizers.
When the Shriving Bell rings out from the Church at exactly 11.55, the roar of traffic in the High Street is hushed and halted and our noble group of Ladies venture onto the start line, proudly sporting our main sponsors, Francis Jackson, T shirts, together with Headscarves, Aprons and Frying Pans and Pancakes, to face the army of photographers and TV crews all determined to get the best shots. Again the Olney Pancake Bell rings out to start the race 445 yards along High Street South and Church Street, and around 65 seconds later, the runners are cheered to the finish by the watching crowds and welcomed by the Church’s Verger and Rector. Prize giving on the rostrum is followed by the Shriving Service and more prize giving as well as the singing of a selection of the Olney Hymns.
As if this were not enough at about 7.00pm those still with enough energy and enthusiasm will congregate in the Church Hall to join in the Web Cam link-up with Liberal to find out the 2015 International winner.
How could you possibly miss out on this marvellous day of fun tradition and sacrament, so put it in your diary now, Tuesday February 17th.
Tony Evans Pancake Race Committee
Christmas Shopping