When: 9th September 2012 from 12 noon
Where: Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
£: Free to watch
What is it?
Lancashire is famous for the production of this regional delicacy and so is a fitting home for the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships. The aim is to throw a black pudding that has been wrapped in a pair of ladies tights at a collection of Yorkshire puddings on a plinth 20 feet up a tower built in the middle of the main street in Ramsbottom. Whoever knocks down the most, wins!
Originally hosted by The Corner Pin at Stubbins, near the village of Ramsbottom, the traditional is said to pay tribute to the brave men and women who repelled raiding parties from Yorkshire. Since the closure of the Corner Pin public house which had hosted the event, the competition has a new home in the form of The Royal Oak on Bridge Street, Ramsbottom.
As part of this unique custom, the ancient ‘Golden Grid’ (which serves as an oche for contestants) makes the journey from Stubbins via steam train. Once at Ramsbottom Station, the ‘Golden Grid’ is carried ceremonially through the thronging streets of Ramsbottom to the skirl of Scottish bagpipes.
The championships have proven popular over the recent years with an unofficial demonstration of the sport at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and even featuring on the television with the Hairy Bikers.
The popularity has continued with the event attracting a number of international entries from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Peru and Argentina, the USA, Poland, Kenya, and Norway.
More info: worldblackpuddingthrowing