The Pancake Spirit

Helmdon villagers took to the streets on Saturday to enjoy the fun and games of their second annual pancake race.

Pancakes and frying pans were both tossed about amide shrieks of laughter and encouragement from the crowd.

Church Street had been specially cleared of ice for the races and £11 was raised towards Action Research for the Crippled Child.

Mrs Jane Sleath, who organized the races with Celia Edmondson, said the idea behind the races was not so much to raise money, but to make sure everyone in the village had a good time, and the £11 was a bonus.

Helmdon Youth Club won the team event, Peter Wain won for the men and Hazel Bullen for the women. Edward Alfandary, ten, won the older children’s race, Matthew Sleath, six, won the 5-6 year-olds’ race and four-year-old Katherine Gartside won the toddlers’ race

Probable Banbury or Brackley newspaper

1986