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.
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