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 > Pies will fly in Kent at quirky championship

Pies will fly in Kent at quirky championship

By Caroline King - May 24, 2019Posted in : Alternative Sport, Fair, FEATURED-STORIES

Teams will be battling it out in Kent this June, as the World Custard Pie Championships 2019 take place.

World Custard Pie Championship 2016
Pies will fly at this year’s championship

This will be the 52nd year that the quirky championships have taken place and teams are expected to travel from all over the country (and further afield) to take part.

Some 2000 pies will be thrown during the championships, and the competition will be scored and judged by special Custard Pie Judges who are well versed in the art and tradition of pie throwing.

Take a look at last year’s event to see just how messy it gets!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAwmSRwOByo
Two teams at last year’s custard pie throwing

If you’re interested in fielding a team a the championship, the rules are as follows:

  1. Each contestant should be 8’3¼” from the target (the opposing team member).
  2. Pies should measure no more than 10¼” in diameter or 2.47cm in depth.
  3. Pies can only be thrown with the left hand.
  4. Pies should be held flat in the hand.
  5. The pies should not be raised above shoulder height.
  6. Points will be awarded for direct hits and near misses as follows:
    a. Six Points for a direct hit (this must strike squarely on the face)
    b. Three points for a near miss (from shoulder height upwards)
    c. One point for a pie hitting any other part of the body
    d. Two consecutive misses and the team member forfeits one point
  7. On no account should any contestant be in possession of more than three pies
  8. Targets may avoid pies, but should not take more than 3’2” or one step in any direction.
  9. At no time should any pie be a greater distance from the ground than that previously agreed with the judge. Account will be taken of wind velocity, danger to onlookers and the general fitness of contestants to cope with pies flying at high speeds.
  10. No compensation can be awarded to any onlooker who is either deliberately or accidentally daubed with a quantity of pie filling, unless this should exceed the average quantity of custard eaten per head in the year 1987.
  11. Teams drawn to compete against each other will act as their own human targets.
  12. Judges well versed in the art of Custard Pie Throwing will award points for direct hits etc.
  13. Special marks will be awarded by the judges for dress, maximum 6 points when the teams parade for the championship.

The championship is a family-friendly event, and will include a wet sponge championship, face painting, a Samba drumming band, hog roast, real ale and Pimms, in addition to the custard pie throwing.

When: 1st June 2019, from 12pm
Where: Coxheath Recreation Ground, Coxheath, Near Maidstone, Kent
£: Free admission, to enter the championship costs £40 per team

More info: theworldcustardpiechampionship.co.uk

Related Posts

  • A traditional summer fair with a strawberry twist
  • Tee off in Hastings for the Crazy Golf Championships
  • Quirky rural games at the Cotswold Olimpicks

Tagged With: Family events, Free events, Kent events, South East

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

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 © 2023 · Contrary Life