Rochdale retains world's biggest pancake record

As millions prepare for another traditional Shrove Tuesday tea, one town in Greater Manchester remembers the day that 40,000 people gathered to witness the creation of the world's largest pancake.

Cooked in front of Rochdale Town Hall in a 50ft (15.24m)-wide pan filled by milk tankers - the enormous pancake weighed in at three tonnes and was flipped with the help of two cranes on 13 August, 1994.

Having broken the previous record by 8ft (2.4m) - the pancake was then cut into 15,000 pieces and sold for charity.

Rochdale still holds the Guinness World Record title for the world's largest pancake more than three decades on and the event remains a part of local legend, especially for those who were there.

The record-breaking pancake was dreamt up by organisers Alan Gill and Graham King who planned and orchestrated each detail on behalf of the Co-operative Union Ltd.

The centrepiece was the giant pan - 25 tonnes of steel, designed by the mechanical engineers at Manchester Metropolitan University and constructed at Sinton Engineering in Preston by a specialist team.

The mixture, a concoction of flour, eggs and the Co-op's own-brand milk, was spread over the pan as the enormous creation began to come to life.

Cath from Rochdale was one of 40,000 people who went along with her siblings to watch the event.

She said she remembered her brother telling her that "history was being made".

She told BBC Radio Manchester: "It seemed to take hours and hours to cook.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"The frying pan was huge and it was built upon this big stand in front of the town hall.

"The music was blaring, there was a man keeping a commentary going, lorries rolling up pouring the mix.

"We were absolutely amazed."

More than three decades on and attempts from others to beat the record have so far been unsuccessful.

And as another Shrove Tuesday draws to its close Rochdale remains, for the 32nd year, the reigning title holder for the birthplace of the world's largest pancake.

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