4 March — Shrove Tuesday every year since 1445
The Olney Pancake Race began in 1445 when the Shriving Bell at the local church, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, rang to signal the start of the Shrove Tuesday church service.
A local housewife, who was frying pancakes, heard the bell. She panicked. She ran to the church in her apron and still holding her frying pan.
The women of Olney have been recreating this every year after that. They race to the church, are warmly greeted by the churchwardens.
Shrove Tuesday is called Mardi Gras in Latin countries. It is called Fat Tuesday in some parts of the world. And of course is simply known as Pancake Day. Click here for more information about Shrove Tuesday on Wikipedia.
Click here to get to the Olney Pancake Race website.
Click here for information about Olney, a market town in Buckinghamshire, on Wikipedia.
