Sporting Event Of The Week (35)

Here in the UK we have had a long, dry, hot summer, the hottest on record, according to the Met Office. Gardeners and farmers are having to reconsider what and when to plant if this change is symptomatic of what many attribute to be climate change. It has brought with it some unexpected complications. Take conkers.

Organisers of the World Conker Championships which has taken place in Southwick near Oundle in Northamptonshire since 1965 were fearful that they would have to postpone this year’s event which takes place on October 12th because of a shortage of suitable conkers. To the dismay of organizer, Charles Whalley, the summer weather in Northamptonshire caused conkers to drop from their trees early, long before autumn had arrived.

Resorting to social media in September, Charles announced that there was the very real possibility of the Championships having to be cancelled because of the lack of suitable conkers. Conker enthusiasts rallied round the cry for help and Charles received emails from around the country offering to supply the nuts.

The organisers have also taken what they describe as “preventative measures” to preserve what has fallen by freezing a 1,000 or so and then putting them in buckets of water and keeping them covered in a cool, dry place.

Nevertheless, the conkers will be smaller than average but the Championship is set to go ahead after all. It has raised more than £420,000 for charities which support the visually impaired.

That’s a relief!

Good luck to all involved.