PEOPLE of all ages had a flippin’ good time at an annual Pancake Day race held on Portland.

The event, sponsored by the Dorset Echo, took place on the rectory lawn at All Saints Church.

With the sun shining, a large crowd of spectators turned out for the races earlier this morning.

The races have taken place each year for the past 25 years.

Easter eggs in various sizes were up for grabs for competitors in the children’s races, whilst adults had the chance to win a bottle of wine in the men and women’s races.

Proceedings started with a special race between the clergy members of Portland.

This was followed by races for the under-5s, five to seven-year-olds and eight to 10-year-olds.

In amongst these races, men and women also got the chance to compete against one another.

Hilda Swinney, organiser, said she was pleased with the turnout.

She said: “I’m totally delighted with the success of the day. Everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion.

“We had entrants from Weymouth, Dorchester and even holidaymakers from Wales.

“The sun shone on the righteous.”

The event was also attended by Town Crier, Stuart Cave, and Mayor of Portland Cllr Rob Hughes.

Cllr Hughes said: “For me, it was great. It brought back childhood memories.

“It was great to see so many people of all ages.

“Thank you to the Echo for the prizes. I’ll have to come again next year.”

Mark Stone, 31, from Portland, came second in the men’s race.

He said: “It’s absolutely excellent. Just taking part is a joy.

“It doesn’t matter whether you come first, second or third on the day.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Rev James Menzies, vicar of Portland Parish, won both the special race and men’s race.

He said: “I had a great time. It was lovely to see so many people enjoy themselves.

“It was a brilliant day. Thank you to Hilda for organising it.

“We look forward to seeing everyone next year.”

Echo Experience

I am not one for racing or for flipping pancakes yet here I am at the starting line with a pan in hand.

Not only that, I have a GoPro camera attached to my head at the photographer’s request. This must be a first for coverage of Pancake Day races.

I have been told to win but I’m merely focusing on not slipping up.  

It’s the taking part that counts, of course, but I’d rather not add to the haunting flashbacks from school sports days.

The flag is lowered and competitors scram to get a leg ahead of each other. Some flip their pancakes straight away, others ignore the concept completely and just run.

I’m actually taken aback when I successfully flip the pancake twice, so much so I forget I’m meant to be running.

I do my best to catch up but the race is over before I know it. I proudly accept third place and the award that goes with it: a bottle of Imperial Leather Japanese spa nourishing shower cream. Lovely.

RESULTS

Special Race

1) Rev James Menzies, vicar of Portland

2) Rev Tim Gomm, rector of Portland

3) Rev Mark Phillips, curate of Portland

Under-5s

1) Lucy Kinsey, aged 3, from Smarties Pre-School

2) Kaydence Lacey, aged 4, from St George's School

3) Seren James, aged 4, from Little Dragons Pre-School

Men

1) Rev James Menzies, vicar of Portland

2) Mark Stone, from Easton

3) Oscar Tollast, from Dorset Echo

Five to seven-year-olds

1) Lauren Shears, aged 7, from Holy Trinity Primary School

2) Max Griffin, aged 7, from IPACA

3) Megan Butler, aged 6, from St George's Primary School

Women

1) Anneka Schofield, from Tophill

2) Ella Day, aged 14, from All Saints School

3) Sarah Cormack, from Tophill

Eight to 10-year-olds

1) Phoebe Jones, aged 11 from Dorchester 

2) Joe Kinsey, aged 8, from Weymouth

3) Daniel Brown, aged 8, from St George's Primary School