Nostalgia Monday FEBRUARY 24 - Use 9 pic 300 word template

Text for Monday Spread on Pancake Day

Headline: Pop band singers took on council staff in thrilling town square pancake race

Strapline: Annual superstore event for Shrove Tuesday featured staff, school pupils, shopping trolleys and wheelchair in frenzy of pan flipping

IT’S almost time for pancakes to be flipped in the air in South Cumbrian kitchens so to mark the approach of Shrove Tuesday we are taking a look through The Mail’s picture collection.

Back on Wednesday, February 28 in 2001, The Mail noted: "Barrow youngsters had a flippin' great time during their day out to a superstore yesterday.

"Twelve pupils from Newbarns Primary School turned up to the Asda store on Walney Road to take part in pancake races and competitions.

"The Shrove Tuesday fun was laid on by staff.

"Children raced against each other and held flipping contests.

"After that they spent a bit of time in store on the tills before returning to class each with their Easter egg."

Customer services manager Ann Niven said: "Normally on Pancake Day the staff have raced against each other, this was the first time we got a school in to do it.

"The children loved the pancake races.

"It was very popular and we hope we can do it again next year."

On March 7 in 2000 there was a pancake race in the Barrow Town Square which was won by Chris Campbell and Denis Horan who were promoting their band Mystical Experience.

The runners-up were Anne Taylforth and Paul Smith, from Barrow Borough Council.

In the 2000 race for staff at the Barrow Asda store, Steve McAlister lost control of his pancake just before the finish line and was beaten by Julie Ireland.

Pupils from St James' Church of England School, Barrow, were invited along to watch the fun.

The Mail back in 1992 noted: “The origin of pancake day, or Shrove Tuesday, comes from the need for Catholic households to use up household stocks or butter and eggs.

“Both were forbidden foods during the 50 days of the Lent fast which followed.

“The custom of running pancake races is reputed to have started in Olney, Buckinghamshire, where in 1445 a woman was late for church and was still making he pancakes when she heard the bell.

“She’s supposed to have run to the service still wearing he apron and carrying her frying pan.

“In Lancashire, traditionally, mill town children sang a special skipping song for about a week before the festival.”

The oldest known British pancake recipe appears in the cookbook The Good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin which was published in 1588 – the year of the Spanish Armada.

It features the usual flour, eggs and milk but is spiced up with beer, cinnamon and ginger.

Pancakes are traditionally eaten with a fine sprinkling of sugar and plenty of fresh lemon juice – but modern choices range from maple syrup to peanut butter.