Pictures of black puddings being swaddled in stockings ahead of iconic event
The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships have been a regular annual tradition since 1984.
The annual black pudding championships are held in Radcliffe.(Image: Phil Taylor)
The championships are held annually in Ramsbottom and the event has become a key part of the community calendar.
This year, celebrations will be taking place on Sunday, September 14, from 11am until 4pm, the scaffolding will be up outside The Oaks pub, Bridge Street, ready for the battle to begin.
Pictures taken by Phil Taylor show that preparations for this year’s celebrations began on Saturday 13 September.
Swaddling in black stockings saves the puddings bursting when they fall to the ground.
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More than 1,000 people attended last year, where competitors of all ages paid £2 for three Bury black pudding missiles to be thrown at a pile of Yorkshire pudding balanced on a 20ft plinth.
Swaddling in black stockings saves the puddings bursting when they fall to the ground.(Image: Phil Taylor)
The puddings, supplied by Chadwicks Black Puddings on Bury Market, are expertly tested ahead of time to make sure that they meet the correct weight and size criteria.
Those taking part must stand on a small painted block, known as the ‘golden grid’, to throw their puddings from, and all proceeds are donated to charity.
Swaddling in black stockings saves the puddings bursting when they fall to the ground.(Image: Phil Taylor)
The Yorkshire puddings are provided by Aunt Bessies, and according to organisers, they “stand up to the drop better than any others”.
Legend has it that combatants from Lancashire picked up local delicacy black pudding, while Yorkshire puddings were used by their rivals from the white rose county.
The event was revived by a pub landlord in the 1980s and now sees thousands flock to the market town to battle it out for the world champion crown.
Competitors of all ages take turns to hurl the delicacy – made from pig’s blood- at a 20ft-high plinth in a bid to dislodge a dozen Yorkshire puddings.
The aim is to knock down as many Yorkshire puddings as possible. Distance and accuracy are key; no overarm throws allowed.
Participants stand on a golden grid in the town centre and try to knock down as many as possible with their underarm throws.
Previous competitions have been won by competitors from as far away as Turkey and Australia.
Source – INDIA TV
