Pudding on the style...
WACKY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REMEMBERS WAR OF THE ROSES
IT was an almighty test of fortitude, guile and accuracy as the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships took place.
Hundreds of competitors flocked to in Ramsbottom to make their mark lobbing the Lancashire delicacy at Yorkshire puddings stacked atop 32-ft scaffolding in a bid to topple as many as possible.
And egged on by a cheering crowd, it was Andrew Ferrier who had taken the lead at around 1pm, with a score of seven. He was still a way off the all-time record, which is ten.
Andrew, from Wolverhampton, had travelled up with last year’s victor Nick Pennell, 45, who took the crown after toppling five puddings.
He said: “I feel a bit shaken but happy with my score. The trick is to go high with the black pudding and come down on top of the Yorkshires.
“There’s still a long afternoon ahead so we’ll have to see. But it’s a great weekend. We come every year.”
The eccentric contest dates back to 1455 when warring factions of the House of Lancaster and that House of York did battle in the nearby village of Stubbins.
Legend has it the troops ran out of ammunition and turned to throwing food - with the Yorkshire side throwing Yorkshire puddings at their enemies, who lobbed black puddings in return.
Revived by residents in the 1980s, it’s been a popular event ever since with competitors and spectators travelling from miles around for the contest, food and funfair vibe.
Organiser Phil Taylor said: “It’s a great turn out today. But it’s tough out there - I’ve been doing it years and I’m rubbish.” He thanked Chadwicks of Bury for donating the black puddings.
Last year’s junior winner was Jennifer Astle, 11, who knocked off five.