Students had some flippin’ good fun when they were put under starter’s orders with the Mayor of Bath and a pantomime horse.
The four students represented City of Bath College in Bath’s Flippin’ Pancake Race, which returned after a four year absence.
The Students’ Union members placed an impressive second in the Shrove Tuesday charity fundraiser which saw seven relay teams haring up and down Union Street while tossing pancakes.
But the students were pipped to the post by reigning champions the Street Pastors who were determined to hold on to the title they had won in 2009.
The team was made up of SU President Phoebe Lloyd, SU Vice-President Sophie Williams, SU RAG Officer Dan Templer and SU Activities Officer Courtney Regan.
The students took part in the race during their half-term holiday and helped to raise more than £150 for Food Cycle charity, which creates nutritious meals for people affected by poverty in Bath.
Their race preparation included having “more than enough” pancakes for breakfast to build up their energy levels and watching YouTube videos to pick up some technique tips.
Phoebe, 22, a Fashion and Clothing BTEC Extended Diploma student, said: “Obviously we should have won, but we had some hand-eye co-ordination issues and dropped a pancake.
“However we are over it now, we aren’t sore losers, we were up against the champions and came a respectable second. And I’m sure the Students’ Union team will come back again next year so the Street Pastors should watch out!”
The first round of the event saw students competing against the city’s Mayor, Councillor Andrew Furse, who kindly stepped in to make up team numbers, and Bath Racecourse’s team which included a pantomime horse.
The Mayor impressed the crowd by flipping his pancake with style and grace before earning the unofficial race accolade of the highest pancake flip. Although he joked that he needed to work on his speed and would be “stepping up his training regime.”
Rules were strict with each person having to flip the pancake at least five times during each leg of the race and dropped pancakes had to be picked up immediately.
The winning Street Pastors team was made up of Hazel Roberts, Brendan Rouse, Paul Bright and Tony Haines. They joked they’d “had lots of practice on the course” as they walked the city centre streets every Friday and Saturday night.
Hazel said: “We won in 2009 and now we’ve done it again. It’s good fun and we’ve all had a great time.”
The event was organised by Fringe Arts Bath in conjunction with Bath BID (Business Improvement District), and supported by City of Bath College.
Other teams taking part included Mission Burrito, 44AD Art Gallery, Green Park Brasserie and The Magic Penny.
Scarlett Mosnier, City of Bath’s Students’ Union Activities Leader, said the event would once again become an annual fundraiser.
She said: “It was flippin’ brilliant. I’m really happy with how it went. All the teams had a good time and I’m grateful for everyone coming together to take part. There will be no more breaks for this event, it will be back again next year.”
City of Bath College photography students were also on hand to capture all the action and excitement of the pancake race.
