A custom still observed at Toddington is the ringing of the Pancake Bell in St George’s church on Shrove Tuesday to remind people to make their pancakes. Before the Reformation, this was the ‘shriving bell’, rung between 11 and 11:15 to call the faithful to confession before the onset of Lent. In the 18th and 19th centuries, however, the bell was commonly rung either at 11 or at midday to announce a half-holiday and the beginning of Shrovetide festivities. These included the eating of pancakes, customary on this day certainly from the 16th century, and there are many 19th century references to the ringing of what are variously called ‘Pancake’, ‘Fritter’ and ‘Pan-Burn’ bells.
At Toddington the custom has been given a legendary flourish: the bell is said to have been the signal for the village children ‘for generations’ to head for Conger Hill, a motte near the church, to put their ears to the ground and listen for the sound of ‘the witch’s cauldron bubbling and the sizzling of her pancakes.’