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BBC News
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Pancake Day 2025: Races take place across the south of England
People have been flipping pancakes while running through the streets to mark Shrove Tuesday across the south of donned fancy dress outfits to take part in Pancake Day races, watched by hundred of some towns across Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset the running races have been a longstanding, annual one in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, has been held for at least 50 years, organisers said. Local resident, 44-year-old Ben Hodgkinson, came first in this year's race around Market Place in the turned up with their frying pans for a short lap around the town, with the added requirement of a pancake toss at the start in the region, in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, the town's former mayor organised this year's flipping darted around the town's minster, slinging their pancakes in the air at four corners of the in Berkshire, Great Western Railway passengers were served pancakes on their journey between Plymouth and of Wight ferry service Red Funnel posted a social media video to mark Shrove Tuesday where staff are purportedly seen hurling a pancake to one another, between different locations. 'Secret ingredient' Homelessness charity, Launchpad Reading, held a race in the town centre to raise of competitors dressed up, with the winners wearing costumes inspired by the Wizard of Cater, manager of family business Stakks in Southampton, said it was the busiest day of the year for the business. "Our most popular savoury dishes are bacon with maple syrup and then a sausage, bacon, fried egg and maple syrup - or sweet has all the chocolate you can imagine stacked up on a plate," she pancake house was inspired by Ms Cater's grandmother."All our pancakes are her original recipe," she continued, adding: "The secret ingredient is love." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Contactless payment scheme for homeless in Reading
A council has launched contactless donation points to help charities that combat Borough Council in partnership with Reading's Business Improvement District has launched Tap for five tap points will be located around town and donations will be divided equally between four charities - Launchpad Reading, The Salvation Army, St Mungo's and YMCA Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services and community safety, said: "By giving solely with a 'tap' it ensures your funds reach the right people in genuine need." The tap points can be found at locations including The Oracle, Broad Street Mall and Reading are overseen by trained professionals to get individuals off the streets and back on their will provide practical support and essential items such as clothing, food and specialist courses to people who are, or have been, rough sleeping in Reading. Ms Rowland explained that residents often feel "uncomfortably put upon and compelled to give money when asked" which she said "only leads to an increase in beggars who are sometimes aggressive and not actually homeless".She said: "Tap for Reading is now the best way to help our homeless in Reading."Together we can minimise the begging culture by not giving directly to those whose housing status or motivation may be unclear."Su Hamblyn, CEO of Launchpad Reading, said the initiative was "a great way for residents and visitors to support people, who are genuinely homeless in the town, with confidence".Dave Poulton, chief executive of YMCA Reading, said: "This is an opportunity for you to make a real difference via a network of local charities."All money donated will go to the council's homelessness charity partners who will ensure that funds are used for what is needed directly. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
