The Eccentric Year

Discover the East of England's weird and wacky events.

January

Maldon Mud Race www.maldonlions.co.uk/events/mudrace
The only known event of its kind in the UK - the mud race (in aid of various charities) starts and finishes at Promenade Park in the town of Maldon in Essex. Competitors have to race across the River Blackwater at low tide, along the bank, and then back across the river to the finish line. Various prizes are awarded, such as first male, first female, last person and best fancy dress. Please note, the mud race is sometimes held in late December.

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival www.strawbear.org.uk
Held at the town of Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire - the origins of this celebration aren't certain, although its believed that traditionally it was the custom on the Tuesday following Plough Monday (the first Monday after twelfth night) to dress one of the local farm hands in straw and call him a 'Straw Bear'. The poor person inside would then be taken around the town, dancing in front of the houses and pubs - in return for gifts of money or beer and food for later consumption. The custom fell into decline at the end of the 19th C. but was later revived in 1980. Today, this three day event, includes a procession (Saturday) through the town with over 250 dancers, musicians and players from across the UK, performing traditional molly, morris and clog dances and mummers plays - all following the Straw Bear.

February

Pancake Races
Shrovetide is the last few days before Lent (a time of fasting and giving things up). Shrove Tuesday was the final day to use up certain food items which were forbidden during Lent - such as butter, eggs and milk. These were used to make pancakes. Various towns and villages hold pancake races, such as Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire), St. Albans (Hertfordshire), Harwich (Essex) and Hitchin (Hertfordshire). Carrying a cooked pancake in a frying pan, competitors race to the finish line flipping their pancake as they go.

King’s Lynn Mart www.showmensguild.com
The oldest fair in Britain, held in the magnificent Tuesday Market Place at the town of King’s Lynn in Norfolk. This Valentine’s event dates back to a charter granted by Henry VIII in 1537. Later the town became home to engineer Frederick Savage, whose latest fairground contraptions were demonstrated to showmen as part of the event. He also pioneered steam powered rides. Opened each year by the Mayor, the Mart is still famous for introducing the latest rides - and also heralds the start of the Norwich and Eastern Counties Section of the Showman’s Guild travelling season.

March

St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Luton) www.lutonirishforum.org
March 17 is the Christian feast day which celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The town of Luton in Bedfordshire has a large Irish population, and hence, holds the biggest St. Patrick’s Day event in the East of England. Enjoy the best of Irish culture at this festival - music, song, crafts, food, dance, sport and film, plus a grand parade with pipe/marching bands, flags and banners.

Thriplow Daffodil Weekend www.thriplow.org.uk
An annual tradition started in 1969, in an attempt to raise money for repairing the church. This quiet village (nr. Cambridge) in Cambridgeshire is transformed by its massed displays of bright yellow daffodils - alongside the road, on public places and within private village gardens. Visitors can explore, plus enjoy other activities.

April

St. George’s Day Festival www.english-heritage.org.uk
A celebration (April 23) of the patron saint of England. Wrest Park Gardens at Silsoe in Bedfordshire holds the biggest St. George’s Day celebration in the country. Music, dancing, jousting, falconry, crafts and a traditional historic market. Visit the encampment of the Romans, or watch as St. George battles it out with the dragon.

Ely Eel Day www.eastcambs.gov.uk
The city of Ely in Cambridgeshire is proud of its connection with eels, and it is thought that the name Ely is derived from the Isle of Eels - when it was surrounded by water and marshland. Eels are still caught in the river Great Ouse, although stocks are now low. Historically eels were part of the local staple diet, as well as a valuable source of income. Each year, an Eel Day is held, featuring a carnival procession led by ‘Ellie the Eel’, eel throwing, and tastings of smoked and jellied eels. At other times of the year, follow the Eel Trail (leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre) which features special art works based on the watery creature. Smoked eels can be purchased at Ely's farmers' market, whilst dishes such as eel stew and pie can be found at the area's restaurants.

May

May Day
The 1 May (May Day) is a celebration of the coming of summer - its origins linked to Flora, the Roman goddess of fruit and flowers. Presided over by a ceremonial King and Queen of May, young men and women would dance around the maypole to encourage fertility, whilst homes and villages were decorated with freshly cut flowers and foliage. One of the region’s most traditional May Day celebrations is held at the pretty village of Ickwell (nr. Biggleswade) in Bedfordshire - home to a permanent maypole. Whilst at the nearby town of Ampthill (also in Bedfordshire), the local morris dancing team welcome the sunrise on the 1 May by dancing around Katherine’s Cross in Ampthill Park.

King’s Lynn May Garland Procession www.thekingsmorris.co.uk
An old King´s Lynn (Norfolk) custom, originally performed by the children of the town, and revived by the local morris dancing troupe in 1983. The event is held on the
1 May, starting at 5.15am with ‘Dancing the Dawn Up’ at the highest point in the borough. Then at midday, the May Garland - a large double hoop of flowers, greenery and beads, with a doll in the middle and mounted on a pole - is carried around the town. This is accompanied by the blowing of ox horns to welcome the coming of summer on the real May Day.

Stilton Cheese Rolling Contest www.stilton.org
The village of Stilton (nr. Peterborough) in Cambridgeshire has given its name to the famous English cheese - although it was never made here. Situated on the old Great North Road, the village became a staging post for coaches in the 18th C. as they travelling from London to northern cities. Horses would be rested or changed, and travellers provided with refreshments and overnight stays at the hostelries. Being convenient to the town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire - where the cheese was first made in the early 18th C. the village soon became a market place for Stilton. It was also served up to hungry travellers, such as at The Bell Inn, run by entrepreneur Cooper Thornhill. Each year (on the May Bank Holiday Monday), this association is celebrated with the Stilton Cheese Rolling Contest - when teams roll 'wooden' cheeses down the High Street. Stilton Cheese is creamy and open-textured with a green/blue mould radiating from its centre and a characteristic orange-brown coat.

June

Thaxted Morris Ring Meeting www.thaxted.co.uk
Morris dancing is a traditional English folk dance which dates back at least
600 years. One of its key organisations is The Morris Ring formed in 1934, as a result of a meeting held in the town of Thaxted in Essex. To mark this event, the annual Morris Ring Meeting is usually held on the first weekend following the Whitsun (May) Bank Holiday. This sees a gathering of morris men from across England - performing dance displays in surrounding villages on the Saturday, followed by a massed show in Thaxted on both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The Thaxted troupe has been running since 1911.

July

The Dunmow Flitch Trials www.dunmowflitchtrials.co.uk
This ancient ceremony is held every four years in the town of Great Dunmow in Essex. It involves a mock court trial - where married couples (who may come from anywhere in the world) try to convince a judge, along with a jury of six maidens and six bachelors, that for a year and a day they have not wished themselves unmarried again. If successful they win a flitch - a salted side of pork, and are paraded through the town in the flitch chair. The ceremony reputedly dates back to 1104, when the Lord of the Manor and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and went to beg the blessing of the local Prior - a year and a day after their marriage. So impressed by their devotion he gave them a flitch of bacon. The Lord then revealed his identity and gave his lands to the priory on the condition that the flitch should be given to any couple who could claim they were similarly devoted. Next trials in 2008.

Midsummer Cushions www.johnclare.org.uk
This custom is held at the village of Helpston (nr. Peterborough) in Cambridgeshire, which was the birthplace of poet John Clare (1793-1864). To celebrate his birthday (and his love of wild flowers), school children annually create around 100 trays of turf studded with flowers. These are then taken in a procession to the church
to be laid around his grave.

Potty Morris Dance Festival www.lobsterpotties.org.uk
Started in 1994, this is an annual gathering of morris dancing groups from across the country. The event is held on the first Saturday in July, and includes a massed procession through the town of Sheringham in Norfolk, followed by smaller dance displays at various venues. The Lobster Potties are a mixed side, dancing their own
style - based on North West Clog and Garland, which some people call the North Norfolk tradition.

World Pea Shooting Championships www.witcham.org.uk
This annual event is held on the village green at Witcham (nr. Ely) in
Cambridgeshire. Accuracy, not distance is the aim, with contestants shooting a pea through a 12 inch tube, 12 feet towards a 12 inch target. There are open, ladies and junior competitions. The event began in 1971, as a fund-raiser for the village hall. Peashooters and peas on sale.

Harpenden Highland Gathering www.harpenden-lions.co.uk
Dip into your sporran and join the clan. This is the largest Highland Gathering in the UK outside Scotland. Held at Rothamsted Park (nr. Harpenden, Hertfordshire), the event includes Highland dancing, marching, pipe bands and traditional Scottish games and sports.

World Snail Racing Championships www.scase.co.uk/snailracing
The championships form part of the annual fete held at the village of Congham,
nr. King’s Lynn in Norfolk. Anyone can enter a snail (more than 200 normally) - either bring your own, or get one from the snail trainer on the day. The snails race from the centre of a circle to the outside, this has a radius of 13 inches. The winner gets a silver tankard stuffed with lettuce leaves. The world record was set by ‘Archie’ in 1995, and stands at 2 minutes.

August

National Amber Hunt www.ambershop.co.uk
Amber is a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin of conifer trees - mainly used for jewellery. It sometimes encloses insects or other organisms. Found on beaches along the Suffolk coast, the town of Southwold holds an annual hunt for children. Twelve clearly marked pieces are hidden on the beach between the pier and the harbour wall of the river Blyth - with prizes for the winners.

British Open Crabbing Championships www.walberswick.ws
Light-hearted fishing championship for children held at the village of Walberswick in Suffolk. Over a 90 minute period, and armed only with a single line and bait of your choice, the person landing the single heaviest crab wins. Many entrants use bait made to a closely guarded secret, and competition is intense. An engraved silver salver is awarded to the winning entrant along with a 'gold' medal and £50 prize money. All equipment (buckets, bait and line) is available on site for a small charge. All proceeds go to worthwhile causes.

Colchester - Opening of Oyster Fisheries
This famous seafood delicacy has been cultivated in the tidal estuaries around the town of Colchester in Essex since before Roman times. They are known as ‘English Natives’, and spawn during the summer when they are left in peace to grow. Traditionally when there is no ‘r’ in the month, they should not be eaten. To celebrate the start of the oyster fishery season, the annual 'Gin and Gingerbread Ceremony' takes place (at the end of August) in the Pyefleet Channel, off Mersea Island. This ceremony dates back to 1540. The Mayor and other officials enjoy an oyster lunch on board a sailing barge, before an ancient fishing rights proclamation is read to officially declare the fishery open. The Mayor then raises the loyal toast, accompanied by the
drinking of gin and the eating of gingerbread, before the first dredge of oysters is made. See also October.

Westleton Barrel Fair
Held at the little village of Westleton (nr. Saxmundham) in Suffolk,
the event involves barrels being raced up and down the green - with prizes given to locals and visitors of both sexes. Also side shows, morris dancing and live music.

September

Hemsby Herring Festival www.hemsbyinshorerescue.org
Herrings have been fished off the east coast since Norman times. Places such as Great Yarmouth in Norfolk were home to huge fleets of steam drifters, where the herring was caught in their millions - the industry reaching its peak in the 19th C. The former fishing village of Hemsby (nr. Great Yarmouth) holds an annual Herring Festival. Watch as the lifeboat crew prepare up to 1,000 of the fish in the traditional manner - dipped in rolled oats and cooked in beef dripping.

Old Leigh Regatta www.oldleigh.com
Annual fund-raising weekend of fun and frivolity - held in the old fishing town of
Leigh-on-Sea (nr. Southend-on-Sea) in Essex. Includes a unique combination of sailing races and novelty events, such as cockle, cracker and banana eating contests, climbing the greasy pole, pillow fighting, welly throwing and football games
on the mud.

Mascot Grand National www.themascotgrandnational.co.uk
Huntingdon Racecourse in Cambridgeshire holds the annual Mascot Grand National. First held in 1999, colourful characters from companies and organisations complete a
1 furlong (220 yards) course, including six hurdles. Also parade of mascots and
prize-giving ceremony.

Soham Pumpkin Fayre www.sohampumpkinfair.co.uk
Started in 1974, this fund-raising event is a measure of a gardeners skill and
patience - celebrating pumpkins, sunflowers and outsize vegetables. Held in the town of Soham (nr. Ely) in Cambridgeshire, there is a variety of classes with prizes. It has become a local tradition to issue every child in the town with pumpkin and sunflower seed to grow especially for the fayre.

October

Colchester - Oyster Festival
This famous seafood delicacy has been cultivated in the tidal estuaries around the town of Colchester in Essex since before Roman times. They are known as ‘English Natives’, and spawn during the summer when they are left in peace to grow. Traditionally when there is no ‘r’ in the month, they should not be eaten. On the last Friday in October, Colchester holds an ‘Oyster Festival’ in the Town Hall, attended by the Mayor and around 300 invited guests. Here they taste the oysters and aim to bless their continued growth. See also September.

World Conker Championships www.worldconkerchampionships.com
Held at the picturesque village of Ashton (nr. Peterborough) in Cambridgeshire. Head to the village green (surrounded by Chestnut trees) where modern day gladiators fight for glory armed only with a nut and 12” of string. The competition first took place in 1965 when a group of regulars at the local pub were thwarted by bad weather in their attempt to organise a fishing expedition. The suggestion that they played conkers was taken up and the rest is history. Today there are separate men’s and ladies’ events - and participants come from all over the world to take part. Competitors play on eight white podiums, and go through rounds until the winner emerges and is lead to the Conker Throne and crowned with conkers.

November

Floodlit Swan Evenings www.wwt.org.uk/visit/welney
Held at the WWT Welney Wetland Centre (nr. Wisbech) in
Cambridgeshire - this famous wildlife spectacular runs on most nights, from November through to February. From the heated observation gallery, visitors can see thousands of wild swans being fed on the reserve by floodlight, alongside a live commentary
by an expert.

December

RNLI Sponsored Rowing Race www.mlsc.org.uk
Annual fun rowing event in the town of Maldon in Essex. Prizes for the fastest men’s boat, fastest ladies boat, best fancy dress, etc. Many local groups, pubs and clubs compete to see who can raise the most sponsorship money for the RNLI. The course usually starts from The Hythe, and goes down the river to the end of the Promenade, then returns to finish back at The Hythe. Please note, the rowing race is sometimes held in early January.

Christmas Day Dips
Brave the waters of the North Sea if you dare… with a Christmas Day charity swim. There are events at Hunstanton in Norfolk, and Lowestoft in Suffolk. Many participants are also in fancy dress.

Bakers and Sweeps Boxing Day Charity Football Match www.freewebs.com/bakersandsweeps/boxingday.htm
This centuries old custom is a long-standing rivalry between the two professions. It has been played since 1909, with proceeds shared between charities. Held at Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, the game involves a 9ft inflatable ball filled with soot and flour.