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Cumberland Wrestling

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Aug 28 2007

The origin of this North Country style of wrestling is a matter of debate. Some describe it as having evolved from Norse wrestling brought over by Viking invaders while others associate it with the Cornish and Gouren styles indicating that it may have developed out of a longer- standing Celtic tradition. Whatever its origins, the Cumbrians engage in Cumberland Wrestling to this day and it now forms part of the larger Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show where I went to see it this bank holiday Sunday. The rules are straightforward. The starting backhold position involves the wrestlers standing chest to […]

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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!

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