2
Historical Happenings
by Peggy Butterfield
“Knees up Mother Brown”
The New Brighton pancake races began on Shrove
Tuesday February 26th 1963 and was held annually until
1979. The races up the main street, drew huge crowds.
Competitors represented local women’s organisations,
and the event was inaugurated by the local Business
Men’s Association, and sponsored by the Christchurch East Rotary Club.
Trophies were donated by local businesses and many are on display at the
museum. The race involved racing along the main street, complete with
apron, frying pan and a real pancake which had to be tossed along the route.
Many ended up on the road.
Pancake races originated in Britain 500 years ago. The custom of making
pancakes
enabled
housewives to
use up their
surplus butter
and eggs before
the Lenton Fast.
The race was for
women only
and they had to
wear an apron, a
scarf and a hat
and run 400
yards to the
church porch while tossing the pancake at least 3 times. The only prize was a
kiss from the bellringer.
June Golden Oldie movies on at 1.30pm every Monday.
June 6th
South Pacific
1958
Musical
151 mins Mitzi Ganor, Rossana Brazzi
June 13th
Marty
1955
Romance 90 mins Ernest Borgnine
June 20th
Beggars Opera 1953
Musical Laurence Olivier
June 27th
The Secret of the Loch 1934 Fantasy adventure 74 mins Seymour Hicks