THE sun shone down brightly for Elstead Village’s 21st pancake race, which saw more than 80 children and adults, many in fancy dress, racing and tossing their pancakes along Stacey’s Farm Road to the village hall last Saturday.

Over the years the event has raised hundreds of pounds towards the upkeep of the village hall and Elstead Youth Centre, as well as other local charities.

The races were started by Chris Spicer from Elstead Building Company, which sponsors the event every year.

The winner of the three to five years race was five-year-old Eddie Stratford; Toby Williamson won the six to 10 years race; and Mark Hadderton-Thompson walked away triumphant after winning first place in the 11 to 14 years race, just beating Hannah Spicer, who has won the race five times previously.

This year, however, Hannah ran with her three-year-old cousin on her back. The adult race was also hotly contested and was won by Guy Kirby. The winners will have their names engraved on The Woolpack Shield which celebrates the winners over the last 21 years.

More than 100 people continued the fun in the village hall where savoury and sweet pancakes were on sale. Heidi Jones from Swiss Farm in Elstead provided the daffodils which adorned the tables and which were sold after the event.

The Spar in Elstead donated a voucher to buy groceries, particularly lemons for the pancakes, and volunteers made up of St James Primary School parents and Elstead residents, made and donated about 500 pancakes for the popular village event.

Eighteen children entered the Pancake Tossing competition and had to toss their pancakes as many times as they could in one minute, each one observed and counted by volunteers in the audience.

The two winners were seven-year-old Marisa Hadderton-Thompson and her brother Mark Hadderton-Thompson. Their names will be engraved on the Elstead Pancake Races’ wooden spoon trophy.

The fancy dress competition was judged by the audience who clapped and cheered each contestant, the loudest in each heat being the winner.

The infant category was won by three-year-old Finley Brown who came as Batman, and Emanie Sparkes won the over seven year olds as Princess Poppy from the film Trolls.

The cups and prizes were presented by Valerie Elliott, the new headteacher of St James Primary School.

The organisers wish to thank everyone who gave their time to organise this annual event and the many people who helped on the day.