Rejoicing in Ripon: BID under starter’s orders for a morning of pan-tastic fun

On Tuesday (February 17) Ripon Cathedral clergy and staff will be seen running like the clappers along Kirkgate, chased by local business people and schoolchildren.

Yes, we’re just a few days away from the city’s much-loved Shrove Tuesday pancake races, in which competitors take on a challenge requiring supreme hand, eye and dashing dexterity ⚡.

The egg-centric event, which heralds the start of Lent and is fast followed by the Easter holiday period 🐣, is being championed once more by Ripon BID, working alongside the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels who organise the annual event, and the Cathedral.

Over the years, it has grabbed the attention of print, online and broadcast media and seen the city’s magnificent cathedral and ancient streets presented at their best 🏰.

BID manager Lilla Bathurst told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“Last year I posted a short video featuring the races on my personal X account and it attracted 150,000 views.
This underlines the fact that residents, day visitors and tourists from further afield revel in Ripon’s rich history and heritage attractions.
These priceless assets make the Cathedral City of the Dales the perfect host and backdrop for quintessentially British traditions and customs, such as our once-a-year pancake races and Ripon’s unique nightly setting of the watch ceremony, that dates back to Alfred the Great and has put Ripon on the world map 🌍.”

Lilla added:
“It is mind-blowing to consider that when the first Shrove Tuesday pancake race was held in Buckinghamshire in 1445, the church established in Ripon by Wilfrid, our patron saint, had been a place of Christian worship for 773 years!”

The races will be held from 11am until 12 noon and the outright winner will be presented with the much-prized golden pan trophy 🏆.

Children taking part in 2025

The Dean and clergy racing in 2025