|
 Britain’s Bizarre Events
Britain’s Bizarre Events
 The British find entertainment in the
strangest of things with a host of bizarre events and sporting
competitions that have taken place in parts of the country for eons.
Some of these are already world famous and attract disbelieving TV
cameras from around the globe. So if you considered the British to be a
refined and conservative bunch, think again...
Birdman Competition
Again testing manpower against the improbable, the International Bognor
Birdman Competition sees human powered flying machines attempt to stay
airborne in the seaside town of Bognor Regis in the South East of England.
The Birdman competition sees contestants launch themselves from the end
of Bognor pier, with the winner being the one who goes furthest over
100 metres, to receive a prize of £30,000. The competition has seen all
manner of flying
machines and contestants decked in fancy dress,
attracting entries from around the world.
Snail Racing
Excuse the pun - Slugging it out for the title of Fastest Snail in the
World are more than 300 snails at the World Snail Racing Championships
in Congham, King’s Lynn in the East of England.
Held on 19th July as part of Congham’s Summer Fete, the championships
are held over a 13 inch course in the town’s Cricket field. Any snail
can enter and the winner receives a silver tankard, stuffed with
lettuce. The current record holder is a snail called Archie who
completed the course in 2 minutes flat.
Gurning Championships
Held on the 3rd Saturday in September the World Gurning Championships are part of the Egremont Crab Fair in the Lake District .
The idea of the competition is that contestants put their heads through
a horse collar and pull their faces so that their bottom lip reaches as
close to their nose as possible. The winner is the one whose ugly face
gets the most applause. The Egremont Crab Fair dates back to 1267 in
celebration of the time the local Lord of the Manor gave about crab
apples to the people of Egremont. The gurning competition originates
from the faces the locals pulled when biting into the sour apples.
Christmas Pudding Race
Attracting around 150 contestants each year the Great Christmas Pudding Race takes place in Covent Garden in London
each December. Contestants in fancy dress have to race around a 150
metre course balancing a Christmas pudding on a flimsy paper plate
while navigating obstacles such as slippery inflatables, flour filled
balloons, jets of foam and limbo poles. The race, which has been run
since 1980, has become part of London’s Christmas calendar and raises
money for Cancer Research UK.
If you get chance to
visit or even take part in any of Britain’s bizarre events, you’ll
certainly have an experience to remember and you can return from your
vacation knowing that it’s not all cricket, soccer and afternoon tea in
Britain.
If you’re planning a vacation to Britain contact one of our guides for the latest deals on accommodation and travel.
|
