Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Alternative Sport > Have a go at the World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire

Have a go at the World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire

By Caroline King - September 30, 2018Posted in : Alternative Sport

World Conker Championships 2018 - Northamptonshire - Photo: Peter Bower

The colourful conker competition (Photo: Peter Bower)

When: 14th October 2018, 9.30am – 4pm (games begin at 10.30am)

Where: The Shuckburgh Arms, Southwick, near Oundle, Northamptonshire PE8 5BL

£: Admission for spectators costs £5 for adults, £2 for children and £10 for a family. Parking is free.  To take part in the championships costs £10 and players should enter in advance online

What is it?

The 2018 World Conker Championships will take place on Sunday 14th October at The Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Northamptonshire.

The World Conker Championships first took place on Ashton village green, surrounded by horse-chestnut trees, in 1965.  The contest is rumoured to have started after the regulars at a local pub couldn’t go on a fishing trip.  Instead they decided to have a game of conkers, with a small prize for the winner.  Today the event is staged nearby in Southwick, with competitions for men, ladies, and juniors.

All conkers and laces for the championships are supplied by Ashton Conker Club. Each player takes three alternate strikes at the opponent’s conker.  The game is decided when one of the conkers has been smashed.

World Conker Championships 2018 - Northamptonshire - Photo: Tom Carlill

Winners on the Conker Thrones (Photo: Tom Carlill)

The adult competition kicks off at 11am with a parade of players. The competitors play on white podiums in the arena and have to play through various rounds until a winner emerges.  The winner is then led to the Conker Throne and crowned with conkers.

This year’s competition will be MC’d by BBC Five Live’s Mike Sewell, and the opening ceremony will by carried out by the King Conker, Lord Robartes and the Town Cryer.

In addition to the championships there will be plenty of family friendly entertainment throughout the day.  This year’s entertainment will include children’s rides, a juggling workshop, pub games, Morris dancing, stalls and a guide dog demonstration.

There will also be a small English Civil War living history encampment and music from the Palmerston Arms Ukulele Band.

The proceeds from the World Conker Championships will go to charity.  Since 1965 the event has raised £415,000 for good causes.

More info: www.worldconkerchampionships.com and www.facebook.com/theworldconkerchampionships

Related Posts

  • Quirky Halloween events for 2018 with twisted tales and ghostly greetings
  • Forget Bake Off, head to the Highlands for the Porridge Making Championship

Tagged With: East Midlands, Family events, Northamptonshire events

Curiosity of the Week

Take a ride through history at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach sign

For our latest Curiosity of the Week, we thought we’d bring you a bit of cheery escapism in the form of fairground rides!

Top Story

Discover nocturnal wildlife wonders at Virtual Dark Skies Festival
Dalby Forest North York Moors Dark Skies cSteve Bell

This year’s Dark Skies Festival is going virtual to help you explore space, nocturnal wildlife and the night sky…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2021 · Contrary Life