Canterbury Cathedral hosts first pancake race in decades for Shrove Tuesday
Staff including the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, took part in the festivities in the cathedral precincts.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Canterbury Cathedral has hosted its first pancake race of the 21st century this Shrove Tuesday.
Members of the public were invited to the cathedral precincts for the free event, which it is hoped will become an annual tradition, with medals for first, second and third place.
Staff including the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, also took part in the festivities, which involved fast walking while flipping pancakes to the finish line.
Lay clerk David Wilcock won the clergy race, followed closely by canon precentor the Rev Wendy Dalrymple.
Dr Monteith said: “Today is Shrove Tuesday – the day before Lent starts in the Christian tradition. So, on this day we use up all the goodies left from the fridge – and that’s why we have pancakes.
“We had a great first pancake race this morning, with lots of staff members running – and visitors to the cathedral ran in the races in the afternoon. My advice is: don’t go running in a cassock!”
Pancake enthusiasts could also book their spot to enjoy a freshly cooked pancake from the cathedral’s community studio, prepared by professional chefs.
Cathedral staff understand this is the first time the races have been run there in the 21st century.