I am delighted to report that £700 was raised at this year's pancake race back in February. We were very lucky that the rain held off for the races and the Village Hall was packed as usual after the event.

The winners were William Ryman in the 3-5 years race; Charlie O'Donnell in the 6-10 years; Daniel Mallinder won the 11-14 years for the second year running; and school parent James Little won the adult race. The winners were presented with engraved gold cups to mark their achievements and their names will be engraved on the Woolpack Shield which is displayed in the Woolpack Inn. Many of the runners raced in fancy dress and the audience voted for the winners by the loudness of their cheers. James Hancock won the under 6 heat dressed as a robot and in the 7 and over heat, Pippa Schulp wowed the audience dressed as a pancake on a plate.

Master of ceremonies, Peter Waddell, then explained the rules to the 30 entrants for the pancake tossing competition. After several heats, 11 year old Tommy Comben emerged as the winner with 73 tosses in a minute. He was presented with the Wooden Spoon trophy, which he will keep for the next year.

It always takes time to get the sponsorship money in after the races and this year, the top sponsor was a St James Year 4 pupil, Fionn Morrant. Fionn, who knows how much the children at St James enjoy their swimming pool nominated St James School Splash Fund to receive half of the money raised. The other half goes as usual to support Elstead Youth Centre.

We were so delighted that this year our sponsor, Ray Tracy and his wife, presented the prizes and could see at first hand how much pleasure this event gives to the children and residents of Elstead. Special thanks also go to Peter Waddell as MC, Helen Page and Hilary Eason in the kitchen, local businessman Peter Muir who generously donated the wine, Heidi Williamson of Swiss Farm in Elstead who donated the glorious daffodils, the wonderful marshals, the parents of St James School who donated the 600 pancakes needed, the many people who helped on the day and, of course, the runners.

Next year's race is on Saturday 28^th February. I hope to see you there.

The combined A.G.M. of the Hall Trustees and Management Committee of the Village Halls will be held on:

The Annual Open Meeting of Springfield Surgery Patients Group will be held on Thursday, 12^th June at 7 pm - 9 pm in the format of a 'Doctors' Question Time' at the