On Shrove Tuesday, 4 th
March, the liveries gathered to race their frying pans around Guildhall Yard. This annual event is organized by the Worshipful Company of Poulters, in conjunction with The Cook and The Butler and by kind permission of the Chief Commoner.
The Gunmakers team was Simon Grant-Rennick (running in the Master’s Race), Rob Pitcher (Livery Race), Clair Zambuni (Ladies Race), Johnathan Young (Novelty Race), supported by the Master, Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Beadle and Honorary Archivist. The Proof Master, as usual, provided the starting service with our 10-bore signal cannon.
The weather was kind and we were blessed with a beautiful day. Following the blessing by the Reverend Canon Paul Thomas, Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf CBE opened the proceedings by firing the cannon to start the first race – after a caution by the Proofmaster that the first shot would be rather louder than normal – as was the last. This year ear plugs were available
This year, as always, times were fast – we didn’t win any races but we came away with duty done and Gunmakers Honour intact!
In the Master’s Race Simon ran like lightning but first place was taken by the Clockmakers, who were of course keeping the race times down to milli-seconds.
Demonstrating the full gravitas of his office, the Master Gunmaker, Simon Grant Rennick, flips, well, masterfully, on route to a narrow loss.
In the Livery Race, despite Rob’s velocity, first place went to the Tylers & Bricklayers.
Claire ran nimbly in the Ladies race but first went to Chartered Surveyors.
Despite her red sneakers, Claire Zambuni was pipped at the finish in her race. Good concentration on the toss, though.
The Novelty Race, with Jonathan speeding in his “Operation Raleigh” costume, was won by the Plaisterers , who also won the Victor Ludorum.
Jonathan Young sprints bravely towards the finish in a costume which might be evoking Trafalgar – or some other historic occasion involving buckles and braid.
The Information Technologists won best costume.
As can be seen this event is becoming highly competitive in all respects, including food – the thin slightly crisp pancakes, with sugar and lemon, served before the races, were as usual, delicious. The thicker racing and tossing pancakes were of course bred for that purpose.
The Gunmakers group then retired to the Jugged Hare where an excellent game-themed lunch was enjoyed.
