Pancake Day was flipping great fun across the Island

The pancakes were tasty, but the thought behind the fun, in Ryde on Tuesday, bore a powerful message.

Cllr Michael Lilley has campaigned for 10 years to raise money for the foodbank and community pantry. And he was joined by Peter May in his, now, regulation high heels, raising funds, and awareness, for the victims of domestic abuse.

Michael explained: “This was my 10th year raising money for food poverty. I always said I would stop when that was reduced on the Island. When I started there was 23 per cent poverty and now it’s 34 per cent, so it looks like I will be doing this for a few more years!

“At the next full Council meeting I will put forward a motion on child and food poverty and it will be my focus for the next year.”

The day started at Pickle and Dill with a pancake-flipping contest, with five contestants competing for the title and each having one minute to flip as many as possible.

Pickle and Dill owner and reigning champion, Bob Wright, recorded 89 flips, but he was beaten to the title by his sister, Danielle Wright, who got 90. Cllr Lilley scored a respectable 50 flips saying his attempt was ‘reasonable’.

Then it was off to support Peter, and his high heels’ walk, at the Fantastic Store in Union Street, with Peter walking along the Esplanade to Appley Tower and Oakfield Primary School. Michael, Ryde Mayor, Richard May, and High Sheriff, Graham Biss, took part in the action.

Michael’s efforts raised around £500 to be split between the community pantry and foodbank. Peter walked 10,000 steps and raised another £465 to go toward his ‘To be in her Shoes’ charity.

Meanwhile, in Yarmouth there were thrills, spills, laughter and tears – and that was just the adults!

A total of 178 children from Freshwater & Yarmouth Primary School came into the town for the annual races, supported by their teachers and enthusiastic parents.

The prestigious Shrove Tuesday Pancake Trophy, for pubs and businesses, was won by Josh McGregor of Wight Marine.

Josh is also a member of the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat crew, and when asked if his training helped with his win, he laughed and replied: “Most definitely!”

Yarmouth Town Council’s deputy Mayor, Gill Head, judged the ‘Best Apron’ competition, while there were refreshments for the children, provided by St James’s Church afterwards. Master of Ceremonies was Miles Peckham.