The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

ANNUAL PANCAKE RACE 2025

On Shrove Tuesday we gathered in the Guildhall Yard to take part in the annual Pancake Race, organised by the Worshipful Company of Poulters.  It was a glorious sunny day, and the proceedings were set off by a very loud cannon shot from a very small cannon.

The Tax Advisers fielded four contestants, Master Richard Geldard in the Master’s Race, Howard Ashmore running for the Liveryman,  Karen McNicholls for the Ladies Race and finally Adam Taylor ran in the Novelty Race.  Everyone except the Novelty runners had to race in their gowns, gloves and chef’s hat carrying a very heavy pan containing a pancake which had to be tossed twice.  The Novelty Race runners had to wear a costume which either reflected the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity, A Better City for All, or their own Company.  Our Adam dressed as the famous VAT case which decided whether Jaffa cakes were cakes or biscuits: they remained cakes!  Alas, Adam did not win but there was a great deal of competition with some very elaborate costumes, some of which made it almost impossible to run.  Costumes included a sky scraper, a bee keeper and a chest of drawers but the winner was Sir Knit-A-Lot of the Framework Knitters who was dressed up as a knight in a skein of wool with two knitting needles on his chest.

We made a very good showing with three of us winning their heats (is this a record?) and Karen qualified for the Ladies final where she finished an excellent third.  We look forward to further progress next year.  We then enjoyed a buffer lunch in the Crypt where we were joined by several other Company members.

Contribution: Alison Lovejoy