World Conker Championships to be held near Oundle

The World Conker Championships will be taking place after a break due to the covid pandemic.

The nutty event that attracts people of all ages will be held on Sunday, October 10, from 10.30am until about 3.30pm at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, near Oundle.

Entry can be booked online although some tickets available on the day.

St John Burkett, who is on the organising committee, said: “We didn’t run last year due to covid. After lots and lots of thinking about whether it should take place this year we have decided to go ahead.

“We have two risk assessors on the board so that we can keep people as safe as possible.”

Normally, the event would attract 5,000 people but it will be kept smaller than usual.

Already, 100 entries have been received and organisers expect more.

St John said: “We are very excited - it seems odd that the last one took place two years ago.

“We are hoping that it is a dry, nice sunny day.”

As well as the conker championships, there will be various other activities such as rides, pub games, a guide dog performance, morris dancers and a ukulele band.

Food, local ale and lager will also be available to buy.

St John said: “It’s a nice, very 'English' event for families.”

People will be required to social distance while waiting to participate and there will be sanitiser stations for people to use as they wish.

There are a number of different conker championships for people to get involved in, including a junior event for children.

To book a place, visit: www.worldconkerchampionships.com