Britain is pretty renowned for its quirky traditions and events like cheese rolling, wassailing and tar-barrel racing, to name a few. However, there’s another unusual event that takes place every year close to Manchester that is pretty bonkers. You may have heard of the Greater Manchester town of Ramsbottom, but did you know it hosts the annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championships? Yes, that’s right, black pudding throwing, lobbing or also referred to as ‘hurling’ due to the underhand throw, is as fun and bizarre as it sounds.
Each year on the second Sunday of September, with this year’s event happening on September 8, contestants from far and wide head to the town in Greater Manchester (historically in Lancashire) for this wacky, food-themed competition. The championships have seen international entries from the likes of Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Peru, Argentina, the USA, Poland, Kenya, and Norway, and even media coverage of the event from across the globe.
To kick off the championships, a steam train brings a small painted block known as the “golden grid” to Ramsbottom railway station, which is then escorted by bagpipers to the competition area outside The Oaks pub, marking the spot where contestants take aim. Taking place on Ramsbottom’s Bridge Street, crowds gather in awe as competitors aim to knock down the most giant Yorkshire puddings, which are placed on a 7.6 metre-high plinth, by hurling three black puddings at them.
How did the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships begin?
Word has it from local legends that the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships date back to the War of the Roses. Warring factions of the House of Lancaster and the House of York at a battle in Stubbins, Lancashire in 1455 are said to have run out of ammunition and resorted to throwing food at each other; black pudding from Lancashire and Yorkshire puddings from Yorkshire. However, the likelihood of troops having such plentiful supplies of food and a lack of weaponry is debatable. Still, it makes for a nice story, and an even better competition.
The championships are said to have been revived by a pub landlord in 1839 and brought back again in 1984 by the Stubbins Community Trust. The event was originally held outside the Corner Pin pub in nearby Stubbins before that pub was closed and converted to offices, then moved to The Oaks in the centre of Ramsbottom which continues to draw thousands of spectators to watch every year.
How can I take part in the championships?
The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships are open to all, so whether you’re a beginner bowler or seasoned hurler, you can give it a good go. Participants pay £1 to compete and are given three black puddings (supplied by Chadwicks of Bury) wrapped in tights to stop them from falling apart.
Simply wait your turn, step up to the oche and take aim at the giant Yorkshires sat high above on the scaffold. However, some rules to note. You have no more than three throws. No overarm throwing is allowed, only underarm hurling at the Yorkshire puddings is permitted, otherwise it would be too easy.
And if you happen to be the lucky winner, you’ll receive a prize of £100. If you think you have what it takes, you’d better start practicing your lobbing technique as the competition is fierce.
The World Black Pudding Championships 2024 will take place on Sunday 8th September from 11am outside The Oaks, 39 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9AD. There will also be the annual Pud Fest at The Oaks pub, which is free to attend and will feature live music all afternoon.