For the pride of Lancashire! (From Bury Times)

For the pride of Lancashire!

11:29am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

IT may not be as fierce as the infamous War of the Roses, but the age-old rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire was given full vent at the annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championship.

Hundreds of sightseers and competitors descended on Ramsbottom on Sunday, not only to witness the quirky annual sporting event, but to take part.

For £1, they could throw three black puddings underarm to try to dislodge as many of the 12 Yorkshire puds positioned on a 25ft high scaffold ledge as possible. And organisers, the Stubbins Community Trust, were again delighted that the event took on a distinctly international “flavour.”

Secretary Phil Taylor said: “We’ve had people from Turkey and Italy take part.

“This year, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship has been brilliant. The weather’s been great and that seems to have brought out the crowds. Together with other events going on in Ramsbottom, it’s created a real gala atmosphere.”

Throughout the five-hour duration of the event, held outside The Oaks pub in Bridge Street, there was a constant queue of people eager to see the Yorkshire puds fall and for Lancashire black puddings to triumph. Two scaffolds were put up, one for seniors and the other for juniors.

This year’s winner was Alan Cunliffe, aged 65, from Greenmount, Bury.

One visitor who literally tried her hand was 33-year-old Sara Townsend-Cartwright. Alas, her debut throw failed to knock down any Yorkshire puds.

“I’ve come all the way from Coventry, especially to take part,” she said. “There’s nothing like this elsewhere. It’s a fantastic event.”

Another competitor from nearer home also saw his three throws fail to hit their target. Stewart Butler, aged 48, of Smithills Hall Close, Ramsbottom, said: “This is the second time I’ve taken part. I did it last year, but again didn’t dislodge any. I so wanted to knock down the Yorkshire puddings.”