Posted on 02/05/2008 10:29:29 PM PST by george76
A traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Britain was tossed off the menu due to overbearing health and safety regulations...
The fun event in Ripon, northern England, is an annual Shrove Tuesday charge along a city street by schoolchildren, choristers and office workers, flipping pancakes as they go.
But the organisers felt forced to scrap the merriment this year due to the sheer cost of complying with regulations.
Insurance risk assessments and paid medical staff...
"The main issue is the cobbled street that people could slip on. This stupidity never happened previously. It's a shame these issues stop the children enjoying such a traditional event," ...
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Pancake Day, traditionally celebrates indulgence before the annual Lenten period of abstinence in the Christian Church.
(Excerpt) Read more at news24.com ...
Ripon Cathedral’s ancient Pancake Bell, which has rung for 600 years.
In pancake racing circles, perhaps the most storied rivalry is between Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England. For decades, the two communities have vied with each other in Shrove Tuesday pancake races.
Given the number of deaths and serious injuries in past years at this event it was only prudent thing to do.
The one that caues the most injuries is the Cheese rolling event.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/food/Story/0,2763,1495814,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6696717.stm
But not everyone was happy with proceedings. Vegans branded the event "unethical" and said the cheese should be replaced with a non-dairy alternative.Yvonne Taylor, chair of the animal rights campaign group Peta, said: "It's just not fair that vegans cannot enjoy the fun of the cheese rolling contest."
It's hard for me to believe that people like this actually exist on this planet.
I have been in Ripon , and spent a few weeks in North Yorkshire back in the 80’s ...Loved it , and the people ...
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