A GLORIOUSLY sunny afternoon greeted Welwyn villagers, who turned out to cheer on a series of relay pancake races yesterday (Tuesday).

The event was organised by St Mary’s Church with team rector, the Rev David Munchin, as MC.

A section of the Codicote Road was commandeered at 4pm while three races featuring children from Tenterfield Nursery and St Mary’s School took place.

One of the organisers, Jane Carr, said: “Finally the adults took their turn, including highly competitive teams of teachers from both schools and a clergy team running in cassocks – with varied pancake-tossing abilities.”

The pancakes were provided by The Wellington pub.

Jane added: “Shrove Tuesday is a day associated with releasing high spirits before the more sombre season of Lent which begins the following day with Ash Wednesday.

“In years gone by, pancakes were a traditional way of using up ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs in a last feast before the ritual fasting period of Lent.”