Ever since 1980, the village of Willaston has been the centre of the worm world, gathering people from far and wide to compete to charm the most worms out of the ground.
The 40th annual World Worm Charming Championships will take place on this weekend in Willaston, Cheshire.
Each championship competitor has a 3 x 3 metre plot and 30 minutes in which to charm as many worms from the ground as possible. No digging is allowed but other methods such as playing music or creating vibrations with a garden fork are often used. Apparently the best method for charming is that of hand vibrating a four tyne garden fork, partly inserted into the turf. T his method has become known as ‘twanging’.
This quirky contest is governed by the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP)… because people in Cheshire take their sport seriously!
As well as prizes for charming the most worms, the event also has a prize for the heaviest worm (the current record is 12.08g). Winners usually receive special worm charming trophies for their efforts.
Gates will open at 1pm on the day and the official worm charming commences at 2pm. This is then followed by the counting of the worms and the trophy presentation at around 4pm. There will also be stalls and other entertainment during the afternoon.
For those worried about what becomes of the many charmed worms, fear not, they are released (after the birds have gone to roost) in the evening.
When: 29th June 2019, from 1pm
Where: Willaston Primary Academy, Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6QQ
£: It costs £6 – £10 to enter the championships.
More info: www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/worm-charming and www.facebook.com/events