Annual pancake race takes place in Stafford

A total of 18 local businesses and community groups took part in the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race, the largest number of entrants in the event's 14-year history.

The event is organised by Freedom Leisure in partnership with Stafford Borough Council.

Last year’s race was won by local company, Stafford Tiles and Flooring who were back again this year trying to defend their title, but were unsuccessful finishing in second place.

The new champions and winners of the golden frying pan for 2019 was the team from GO APE, with some of their team running in ape costumes.

Event organisers, Freedom Leisure entered a team from the Gatehouse Theatre which scooped the wooden spoon after finishing last. All awards were handed out by the mayor and mayoress of Stafford Borough councillor Ray Barron and councillor Jenny Barron at an award ceremony in Market Square after the event.

Councillor Barron said: “This is always a popular spectacle in the heart of our town and this year was no exception attracting a record number of competitors. And it was great to see the support for the competitors from their friends, family, and a number of shoppers who stopped to cheer on all our pancake flippers.”

Kevan Murray, Freedom Leisure area manager, said: “We are delighted to have been at the helm of this long-standing, much-loved event for the second year after commencing as the council’s leisure partners in 2017. We are also pleased that so many local businesses and spectators turned out to support it, thank you to everyone involved.

“Events like these sit at the heart of local communities and we are delighted to be working with Stafford Borough Council and to be part of them. I offer my congratulations to the winners and I think our Freedom Leisure team needs to get some practice in before next year’s events!”