The Soroptimist International Newbury & District Pancake Races & Lunches event on Shrove Tuesday raised over £700 for our nominated charity for 2019-2020, The Alexandra Devine Children’s Hospice. 18 teams from local businesses and organisations battled it out for the much-coveted winning Trophy. We would like to thank all the sponsors who gave us their generous support: The Newbury Weekly News, Henwick Properties, Gecko Communications, Accounting & Taxation Centre, Newbury Building Society, Lifecycle Software Ltd and WBRRC, also all the teams who participated in the races. Our thanks also goes to The Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Elizabeth O’Keeffe who started the races assisted by Brian Sylvester town crier, the team of Stewards, Garry Poulson for his competent and amusing commentary, the Corn Exchange, Newbury Town Council, West Berkshire Council. The Newbury Weekly News continued their support by not only sponsoring the overall prize but also for the fantastic ads leading up to the event.
The Overall Winner’s Trophy this year went to Lifecycle Sotware Ltd. The best dressed team sponsored by Henwick Properties, went to MAXX Design with their crayon-themed costumes, and the coveted best pancake tosser of the year sponsored by Gecko Communications was awarded to ‘Joseph’ from the St Nicolas Church team. Following the races the Mayor of Newbury tossed pancakes from the Town Hall balcony to a member of each running team and then the Mayor tossed more pancakes to the local children waiting below.
Following the races delicious pancake lunches were served in St Nicolas Church hall by a brilliant team of Soroptimists, friends and supporters. For information on how to enter a race team next year, Tuesday 16th February 2021, please contact Newbury Soroptimists on si_newbury@hotmail.co.uk or Joyce on joycerlws@aol.com