Published: Friday, 10th October, 2008 12:30
Go bonkers for conkers
By David Knox
Comments (0)
Print Article
ORGANISERS of Scotland’s conker championships are preparing for another invasion of swinging sensations.
Peebles will host the second national competition later this month on Tweed Green.
And more than 50 senior players will attempt to crack the title away from Cardona’s all-conkering Fiona Criggs.
The 49-year-old mum was the surprise winner of the inaugural tournament.
After hoisting aloft the Buccleuch Group Trophy she told the Peeblesshire News: “I got my temper up to beat my husband, Michael, in the first round and I’ve carried on the rage all afternoon.”
Last year’s success story saw hundreds of players of all ages square up to each other.
Rory Gault-Gordon won the 12-18 year-olds title, while Matthew McDonald lifted the 7-11 year-olds category and Max Bone was victorious in the Rogues tournament, which allowed players to bring their own conkers.
The chestnut championships are part of the ever-popular Tweed Valley Forest Festival.
Nicola Hunt from festival organizers Borders Forest Trust said: “After the success of last year we hope to encourage yet more competitors to join in the fun.
“Conkers is a great game enjoyed by both young and old.”
Entries to the championships are taken from Noon on the day of competition.
But conker collectors are being sought in the weeks leading up to the Sunday showdown on October 24.
Nicola added: “We are urgently looking for conker donations for the championships.
“There is a Conker Bin at the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles, so if anyone has spare chestnuts please donate them to this worthwhile cause.”
An additional title will be awarded this year for the largest and heaviest non-competing conkers.
The Buccleuch Group has once again sponsored the championships with trophies made by Bruce Frost at Wood Works in Peebles.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
