Entertainment

In Pictures: Pancake Day marked by unusual celebrations

A selection of events took place on Shrove Tuesday.
A selection of events took place on Shrove Tuesday.

Pancake fans around the country have been marking Shrove Tuesday with traditional celebrations.

Ladies competed in the annual pancake race in Olney, Buckinghamshire.

The contest was won by Amy Butler.

Olney Pancake Race
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Olney Pancake Race
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Olney Pancake Race
(Steve Parsons/PA)
Olney Pancake Race
(Steve Parsons/PA)

Meanwhile in Liverpool, chefs Mauricio Ortegon, Jehu Cuello, Chris Rushton and Adam Gibson took part in the chefs’ pancake race outside St Nicolas Church.

Shrove Tuesday race
(Peter Byrne/PA)

Chef Adam Gibson from Ma Boyles restaurant competed in the race, held every year since 1970.

Shrove Tuesday
(Peter Byrne/PA)

But there can be only one winner – Mauricio Ortegon from The Old Bank restaurant was victorious. He was presented with his trophy by the Rev Dr Crispin Pailing.

Shrove Tuesday race
(Peter Byrne/PA)

In Winchester, the inaugural Shrove Tuesday pancake race was held.

Winchester Cathedral pancake race
Boy choristers of Winchester Cathedral pose for a photograph (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Winchester Cathedral pancake race
Some even went on to take part in the race (Andrew Matthews/PA)

A more unusual Shrove Tuesday tradition in Warwickshire sees the Atherstone Ball Game take place. The game honours a match played between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1199, when teams used a bag of gold as a ball, and which was won by Warwickshire.

Shrove Tuesday Atherstone Ball Game
Workmen secure properties in the vicinity of the game (Joe Giddens/PA)
Shrove Tuesday Atherstone Ball Game
Players grapple with one another as the match starts (Joe Giddens/PA)
Shrove Tuesday Atherstone Ball Game
A man makes a run with the ball (Joe Giddens/PA)
Shrove Tuesday Atherstone Ball Game
Reach! Numerous players try to take possession of the ball (Joe Giddens/PA)