The 2019 World Conker Championships will take place on Sunday 13th 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 adults 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, and the game is decided when one of the conkers has been smashed.
This year’s junior competition will begin at 10.30am and the adult competition at 11am. The competitors will play on white podiums in the arena and battle through various rounds until a winner emerges. The winner is then led to the Conker Throne and crowned with conkers.
This year’s event will be opened by King Conker and the Town Cryer, and will feature additional entertainment including children’s rides, pub games, a juggling workshop, Morris dancing, a living history camp, stalls and live music.
The proceeds from the World Conker Championships will go to charity. Since 1965 the event has raised £420,000 for good causes.
When: 13th October 2019, from 9.30am
Where: The Shuckburgh Arms, Southwick, near Oundle, Northamptonshire PE8 5BL
£: Admission for spectators costs £5 for adults, £2.50 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
More info: www.worldconkerchampionships.com