Ryde councillors have been going flipping mad today (Tuesday), as they battled it out to find the town's best pancake tosser.
The annual event returned for its sixth year at Union Street's Pickle and Dill.
Competitors had just three minutes to flip as many pancakes as possible.
The idea is the brainchild of Ryde Mayor Cllr Michael Lilley, who set up the contest to raise awareness of food poverty. All proceeds go to the foodbanks on the Isle of Wight.
So who battered who?
To prevent food waste, those taking part used a cork pancake as opposed to real ones.
Cllr Chapman
Reigning champion Wayne Whittle was unable to attend this year, giving Cllr Lilley a shot at winning the contest.
He managed an impressive 129 flips but lost out to Bob Wright, of Pickle and Dill.
Bob Wright
Cllr Charles Chapman also gave the challenge a go - scoring 130, one more than Cllr Lilley.
While Cllr Vanessa Churchman recorded 133 flips.
Food poverty
After two years of the pandemic, Cllr Lilley says food poverty is still a huge issue in the UK and Ryde.
During COVID Ryde Food Bank never closed and was there supplying food to those in real need.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, Cllr Lilley said:
"Without the foodbank, many families would go without. Right through COVID they kept going twice a week in Ryde.
"I've done this for six years to remind people that we've got the work and volunteers from the Ryde and Isle of Wight Foodbank.
"It's not just about [food] donations, it's about the building and costs so we do need to raise money for this too."
Steve Bell, the pastor of Ryde's Grace Church - the home of Ryde foodbank - said the contest is a great opportunity to raise awareness and money.
Who is Ryde’s biggest pancake tosser? We’re in the town to find out!
Posted by Isle of Wight Radio on Tuesday, March 1, 2022
He told Isle of Wight Radio:
"The fact that it's money being raised is really helpful because we concentrate on food and being able to give food to people but we run a skeleton operation, which needs financial resources.
"So events like this are superb for us."
There are several distribution centres across the Island. As well as Ryde, they can be found in Freshwater, Newport, Sandown and Cowes.
Donation details can be found on the Isle of Wight Foodbank website.
West Wight Pub Can Now Be Listed As 'Asset Of Community Value'
Royal Navy 'Bomb Squad' Called To Seaview Following Ordnance Alert
Automated Gates Arrive On Wightlink’s FastCat Foot Passenger Route
Help Keep Isle Of Wight Streets Neat – Bring Your Bin In
Two Passengers Injured Following Bus Crash In Ryde
Late Night Reports Of Collision Spark Extensive Land, Sea And Air Search
Islanders Taking On London Marathon Today For Local Charities
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
