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Stinging Nettle Eating Competition

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Jun 19 2007

I’ve seen some pretty silly stuff by now, but entering a competition to eat as many stinging nettles as possible within an hour really takes the biscuit. Unfortunately for the contestants Hob Nobs and Rich Teas were not on the menu. It will be no surprise to learn that this event takes place at a pub, The Bottle Inn, in Marshwood, Dorset. Its origins lie in an argument between two farmers about who had the tallest nettles on his land, which led to a competition. Three years on, Alex Williams, a local man, swore that if anyone could find a […]

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Shin-kicking

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Jun 18 2007

Shin-kicking is the slightly bizarre highlight of the Robert Dover’s Cotswold Olimpics (Olympics) held on the first Friday in June. Started by a local barrister Captain Robert Dover in 1612 at Dover’s Hill, above Chipping Campden, the annual event features some well known countryside games such as tug-of-war, obstacle races and a five mile run, but it’s the shin-kicking competition that draws the crowds. Contestants first fill their trouser legs with as much straw as possible to help soften the blow. Two contestants in turn then play a best of three, to hold arms and kick each other using steel […]

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Tetbury Wool Sack Race

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Jun 18 2007

A gruelling competition run between two pubs, (what a surprise) the Tetbury wool sack race has been given world record status, and involves competitors running in pairs and fours up Gumstool Hill carrying a large sack of wool. Men carry a 60lb sack on their backs and women a 35lb sack. The gradient in parts is 1:4 so it’s heavy going for even the fittest competitor. The race dates back to the 17th century when Tetbury was a noted wool town. It’s thought the race started when local drovers – egged on by drink and wanting to impress the ladies […]

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Dwyle Flunking

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Jun 18 2007

I thought I’d heard of everything, but ‘Dwyle flunking?’ Even after an hour of web searches, all I could find out was that ‘the game requires skill, cunning, outstanding agility and a high tolerance for being slapped hard in the face with a wet beermat.’ It was to be played in Lewes, on what proved to be yet another very wet bank holiday weekend, so I could see for myself. I’m none the wiser!  

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About this blog

The vast majority of posts in this blog are about quirky & eccentric competitions & festivals. I started it in 2006 in France with a competition I'll never forget. Where contestants battle it out to become the World Champion Pig Squeeler, or 'Cri du Cochon'. I had little knowledge back then of quite how far my pursuit of these kind of events would lead me. I've travelled all over Britain (and occasionally further afield) to capture our curiosities and quirks. There's nothing uniquely eccentric about the British, you'll find people all over the world up to all sorts of weird and wonderful activities, but we do have a remarkable capacity to embrace the madness. 'A Brit Different' is the book that was born from it, my labour of love! So what next? There's always something interesting going on, so watch this space, only time will tell! (Dec 2015)

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