Parliamentary Pancake Race 2012

Time Out says

Mon Jan 9 2012

The Shrove Tuesday race with the most high-profile participants is the Parliamentary Pancake Day Race, which pits against each other three teams comprised respectively of MPs, Lords and members of the press. Now in its fifteenth year, the race is a profile-raiser for the charity Rehab, which helps people with disabilities, brain and spinal injuries and mental health difficulties, and older people, rebuild independent lives. ITV news anchor Natasha Kaplinsky is the official starter of the 2012 race, which takes place in Westminster's Victoria Tower Gardens. Kaplinsky is also responsible for seeing that the rules of engagement are followed – namely that participants flip pancakes continuously around the course as part of a relay team. Also, it is required that: 'Gentlemanly and gentlewomanly behaviour will be strictly observed at all times.' Specifically, 'Frying pans must not be used as weapons or as a means of making unseemly gestures, whatever the depth of provocation or the nature of the party at the root of the provocation,' and, 'Any surplus eggs, flour or batter must not be propelled in the direction of other participants or spectators.' Last year, the Lords' team was first past the post. It's free to spectate and usually thronged with photographers eager to capture the honourable members getting competitive while wearing silly hats.