Protest After Pancake Race

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31615, 28 February 1968, Page 2

Protest After Pancake Race

The winner of the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Seaview Road, New Brighton, for the last two years, Mrs F. Fletcher of the New Brighton Athletic Club, was first over the finishing line again yesterday, but was disqualified for using her hand to steady the pancake while tossing it.

The 22 competitors, all married women, in summer dresses and aprons, raced down the 100 yd course tossing pancakes. Each woman represented an organisation in greater New Brighton and eight organisations were entered. The contest, which was first held seven years ago, is sponsored by the New Brighton Businessmen’s Association. Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, derives its name from the practice of confessing sins and being shrived—gaining absolution. The competitors, who were divided into four heats, two of six women and two of five, were cheered on by enthusiastic spectators who lined the course. During the race, each competitor was required to toss her pancake three times in marked areas. The winner was a housewife from North Beach, Mrs Noeline Copper, who was placed second in the race last year after competing unsuccessfully for die first time the previous year. Mrs Cooper, who represented the North New Brighton Keep Fit Club, has three children—two girls and a boy aged seven, six, and four.

Mrs B. Duncan, representing the South Brighton Basketball Club, was second and third was Mrs D. Gurr, a member of the New Brighton Athletic Club. The R. A. Jackson Memorial Trophy for the winner of the matron’s 75yd race was won for the second time in succession by Mrs N. A. Wright, of the North New Brighton Keep Fit Club. Mrs L. Burt, a member of the New Brighton Athletic Club, was second and the oldest competitor, Mrs M. Reynolds, a 70-year-old grandmother, was third. She represented the New Brighton Friendly Club. Prizes of $4 for the winner of each heat and $lO for the

winner of the final were awarded. After the matron’s race a special race for men was held. The competitors were required to race the course bouncing a ping-pong ball with the aid of a frying pan. Before the races, the New Brighton School Drum and Fife Band led the contestants along the course. Results were:— Heat I.—Mrs B. Duncan (South Brighton Basketball Club) 1, Mrs Hindson (Nuffield Kindergarten) 2, Mrs Pitcaithly (North New Brighton Keep Fit Club) 3.

Heat 2.—Mrs F. Fletcher (New Brighton Athletic Club) 1, Mrs S. Taylor (South Brighton Basketball Club) 2, Mrs Vincent (New Brighton Plunket Mothers) 3. Heat 3.—Mrs D. Gurr (New Brighton Athletic Club) 1, Mrs M. Jamieson (North New Brighton Keep Fit Club) 2, Mrs M. Kyle (St Andrew’s Church Young Wives) 3. Heat 4.—Mrs R. Cooper (North New Brighton Keep Fit Club) 1, Mrs K. Flaus (South Brighton Basketball Club) 2, Mrs L. Burleigh (Freeville Home and School Association) 3. Men’s Race.—Commercial Bank of Australia 1, Dunbar’s Chemist 2, Seaview Seeds 3. The photograph shows Mrs Cooper (No. 4), Mrs Duncan (No. 1) and Mrs Gurr (No. 3).