It's that time of year again as Swadlincote welcomed another flippin' successful series of pancake races.

Despite the rainy weather the people of Swadlincote were not to be kept away from attending one of the community events of the year.

Marking Shrove Tuesday again, the annual races saw contests between police officers, kids and check-out assistants today, Tuesday, February 13.

Originally scheduled to take place in the Delph, the rain brought the pancake races indoors - but not out of the cold - to the Market Hall car park in nearby Midland Road.

Swadlincote's annual pancake race. This year was held in the old Market hall due to bad weather. Pictured: Event staff briefing competitors before the race
Swadlincote's annual pancake race. This year was held in the old Market hall car park due to bad weather.

First up was a race between four teams from Belmont Primary School, followed by the four mascot heats.

Chief of the mascots for the next year is Billy Brewer from Burton Albion, after fending off fierce competition from Rammie from Derby County, Poma Penguin from Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre, and Dragon from North West Leicestershire District Council.

Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council Councillor Michael Stanton was on hand to present awards to the delighted winners.

He was astounded that the pupils from Belmont Primary finished the race in such speed, and were not even out of breath come the finish line.

Winner of the mascot race was Billy Brewer from Burton Albion, presented his gold frying pan by South Derbyshire District Council chairman Councillor Michael Stanton, joined by other competitors the Dragon from North West Leicestershire District Council and Rammy from Derby County.
Winner of the mascot race was Billy Brewer from Burton Albion, presented his gold frying pan by South Derbyshire District Council chairman Councillor Michael Stanton, joined by other competitors the Dragon from North West Leicestershire District Council and Rammy from Derby County.

Councillor Stanton said the races continued to be an event for everyone to enjoy, which brought people together.

He told the Burton Mail: "We have pupils here from Belmont Primary, we have all the mascots and we have people from organisations and companies from throughout the area.

"Billy Brewer put in a great performance, I'm sure Nigel Clough will be impressed with him.

"We hold this event every year on Shrove Tuesday, the traditional day for pancake races, and it'll always brings people down.

"This year it happens to fall when the children are in school, which is a shame, but there are still plenty of people here.

"It's great to see so many businesses and companies and people from the area getting involved."

Swadlincote's annual pancake race. This year was held in the old Market hall due to bad weather. Pictured: Event staff briefing competitors before the race
Representatives from Derbyshire Police, Timms Solicitors and Barclays competed in one of the pancake races

This year's competitors were pupils from William Allitt School in Newhall; Fakro; Sainsbury's; Derbyshire Police - under the team name Hot Fuzz; Barclays; Clipper Logistics; Bright Side Vets; Burton and South Derbyshire College; Wetherspoon - Sir Nigel Gresley; and Toons Carpet and Furniture Centre; Chameleon School of Construction; Roger Bullivant Ltd; Lumb Bathroom Solutions; JB Kind Limited; Stan's Pal Doggie Deli; The Dance & Music Centre; Autoclenz; Eclipse Automotive Technology; Elmbridge Tyre Services; Integrex; P3; Jobcentre Plue; ENA Carecall; Reabrook; Rink Print; South Derbyshire District Council; Lesley Edwards; Environmental Education Project.

The racing mascots were: Bertie Bear from Get Active in the Forest; Forest Dweller from Conkers Discovery Centre; Rammie from Derby County Football Club; Poma Penguin from Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre; Travellin' Tim from East Midlands Airport; Buzz Chameleon from Chameleon School of Construction; Honey Pots Bee from the Honey Pots Day Nursery; Dragon from North West Leicestershire District Council; Elvis Gresley from Gresley Football Club; Billy Brewer from Burton Albion Football Club; and Roger Badger from the Environmental Education Project at Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Sponsoring the pancake races this year were: Active Nation; Swadlincote Markets; Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre; and Swadlincote Town Team.

The importance of fire safety while flipping your pancakes:

Staffordshire fire has urged people celebrating Pancake Day today to be careful in the kitchen, with 60 per cent of blazes caused be accidental blazes at home.

Paul Shaw, of Central Prevent and Protect, said: "Whether you're cooking pancakes with the kids, or preparing a feast for Chinese New Year, make sure you look while you cook.

"It can be easy to get distracted when having a family get together but it’s really important that you don’t leave your cooking unattended."

Here are the top 10 tips for cooking safely:

  1. Look when you cook. Take any pans off the heat if you have to leave the room. If your pan does catch fire do not remove or attempt to extinguish it. Get out!
  2. Do not use a chip pan, use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer instead
  3. Do not leave children alone in the kitchen whilst cooking with the hob or oven
  4. Do not place anything metallic in the microwave
  5. Keep electrical leads away from water and keep electrical leads and cloths away from the hob
  6. Avoid cooking if you have been drinking alcohol
  7. Keep the oven and grill clean, a build-up of fat and grease may catch fire
  8. Take care if wearing lose clothing as it can easily catch fire particularly when using the hob
  9. When you have finished cooking, double check that you have turned off the oven

  10. Do not use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer.