The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 18

The 14th Inter Livery Pancake Race
It was on a cold and wet Shrove Tuesday, that
your crack team of pancake ‘tossers’ (IPM Charles
Miller, Fourth Warden Jerry Merton, Assistant Elise
Rasmussen and Freeman Courtney Rasmussen)
gathered in St Lawrence Jewry to be briefed by
the team leader, our learned Clerk, and schooled
by her in the ancient art of running the cobbles of
Guildhall Yard while carrying a frying pan without
falling over, and still maintaining one’s dignity. Tales
of the broken arm suffered last year by a Master of
another company spread fear amongst the team
but, fortunately, the inclement weather meant that
running was to be prohibited (much to the relief of
the Immediate Past Master) and a standing pancake
toss against the clock was the order of the day.
Now, suitably gowned and costumed, we ventured
into the arena. “Costumed”, because it is a rule of
the competition that one member of the team needs
to wear a costume that references one of the Lord
Mayor’s chosen charities. Our costume, however,
was magnificent: A (nearly) full-sized London red
telephone box that Courtney donned bravely, reflecting
the Lord Mayor’s support for the Samaritans. The
costume was held in such high regard, that the judging
panel (including our own inscrutable PM Fiona Adler)
created a special prize for it. Having won the costume
first prize last year, however, Elise maintains bragging
rights in the Rasmussen family.
As to the tossing itself, we walked away with our
heads held high. Charles managed 56 in his allotted
60 seconds, while the rest (who were limited to just
30 seconds each) managed 77 between us. This was
not sufficient for any to reach the finals (Charles is
convinced he “woz robbed” [sic]), but it was sufficient
to guarantee entry to next year’s event.
Special mention must go to Charles, for whom this was
his third race - surely some kind of record – and to our
Clerk, for keeping us all in order. Many thanks to the
Poulters for organising the event and we look forward
to next year’s event!
The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
Cigars, and Cognac awaited us (I did mention that
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
year such a special start.
The Master
Third Warden Jeremy Merton
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