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Home > Alternative Sport > Worm Charming teams go to ground

Worm Charming teams go to ground

By Caroline King - June 21, 2022Posted in : Alternative Sport

Searching for an event to bring you back down to earth? Well, we might have just the thing. An unusual sporting event is about to take place in Cheshire. And it involves worms and a whole heap of sporting tactics. Yes, the annual World Worm Charming Championships is back.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 25th June at the local primary school in Willaston. Ever since 1980, when the first event took place as part of a fete, Willaston village has been the centre of the worm world. People gather from far and wide to compete, with the aim of charming the most worms out of the ground.

Contrary Life - World Worm Charming Championship
Can you charm some of these out of the ground?

How the Worm Charming event works

So, how does worm charming work? Each championship competitor has a 3m x 3m plot and 30 minutes in which to charm as many worms from the ground as possible. The current record is well over 500!

There’s no digging allowed, but other methods such as playing music or creating vibrations with a garden fork are fine. In fact, many people do. Apparently, the best method for charming is vibrating a four-tyne garden fork that’s partly inserted into the turf. This method is 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 awards competitors for the heaviest worm. The current record is 12.08g. Winners receive special worm charming trophies for their efforts.

Willaston Worm Charming photo by Graham Shaw
Competitors charm the worms (Photo: Graham Shaw)

Gates open at 1pm on the day, with the official worm charming starting soon after. This is followed by the counting of the worms and the trophy presentation at around 4pm. There’ll be stalls and other entertainment during the afternoon too.

For those worried about what happens to the charmed worms, fear not. They’re released in the evening, after the birds have gone to roost.

Looking for more quirky sports to try? Head this way!

When: 25th June 2022 at 1pm
Where: Willaston Primary Academy, Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6QQ
£: It costs £15 – £20 to enter the championships. Admission to watch the event and enjoy the fete is £2

More: www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/worm-charming

Tagged With: Cheshire events, Family events, North West, Outdoor events

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