Flipping Heck!

Guardian.co.uk

 On your marks, get set, flip!  

The combination of a good festival with one of my top favourite treats (pancakes) is a winner.  London clearly feels the same, as there are a selection of pancake events and races around the city tomorrow to mark Shrove Tuesday (21st February).  My pick of the bunch is the Parliamentary Pancake Race held in Westminster's Victoria Tower Gardens.

Now in its 15th year, three teams, consisting of Lords, MPs and Press (this could be one way to settle The Leveson Inquiry!) will be flipping mental as they race round the course in relays.  The event's rules and restrictions, which Natasha Kaplinsky is responsible for enforcing, clearly state that continuous flipping must occur throughout the race, the frying pans must not be used as weapons and the leftover flour and eggs must not be 'propelled' at any other participant or used as a distraction.

The event is used to raise the awareness of Rehab, a charity that helps people with brain and spinal injuries, disabilities and mental health issues.  It is free to watch and is probably one of the only times you'll get to see these high flyers whizzing around in silly hats.  Try not to let temptation get the better of you with all those extra eggs lying around...

For more pancake related fun, check out the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, the Better Bankside Pancake Race, Poulters Company Pancake Race and the Leadenhall Market Pancake Race.