Rushbearing

Various parts of the country - various dates throughout the summer.

Rushbearing dates back several centuries to the time when rushes provided floor covering in the churches. Each year, the old, rotten rushes were thrown out and new ones were taken to the churches in carts. This gradually turned into a celebration and holiday involving revelry, music and morris dancing.

The modern Festival in Sowerby is the is the only one of its kind in Yorkshire. The focal point of the event is the sixteen feet high, two-wheeled, handsomely decorated and thatched Rushcart, which is pulled by sixty local men dressed in Panama hats, white shirts, black trousers and clogs. They are accompanied by music and five or six teams of morris dancers.

A team of young ladies take turns to ride on top of the cart. A very precarious position indeed. The colourful procession is an unforgettable spectacle as it winds its way through local villages over the course of the weekend. Stops are made to present token rushes at the churches and to dance at public houses en route. The passage of the cart also serves as a focus for local community groups, charities and entertainment. One of the main attractions is a charity/craft market on the Saturday at Sowerby Bridge market place.

Brick and Rolling pin championships

Stroud, Gloucestershire -

This annual event sees people from Stroud, Gloucestershire, pit their wits and talent against their international counterparts from the American town of Stroud, Oklahoma, as well as competitors from Stroud in Australia! The competition is all about who can throw a brick the furthest. In the women's events, the rules are the same and the competitors are from the same places but the throwing implement is a rolling pin...

The festival dates back to 1959 when residents of Stroud, Oklahoma, a big brick making town, realised that Stroud in England...this is great...also made - BRICKS! - who'd have thought? So anyway, teams were formed and challenges made, Austrlia joined in the fun later on as did Canada but these poor souls coudn't handle the pace and so later dropped out leaving the competition to remain between the three greats, England, Australia and the United States.

World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championships

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys - 8th July 2006

The World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championships is a fantastically fun challenge attracting about 30 riders each year. Riders come from all over the World and are challenged to cycle 2 lengths of a 6 foot deep trench cut into a peat bog - 45 yards long whilst riding a special lead weighted bike. A weighted backpack is also strapped to their back just to make sure they are kept down in the trench. It has to be seen to be believed. All proceeds go to charity.

To join Carry On Tours on this fun events, check out our Bike Bog Snorkelling tour page.

World Pea Shooting championships

Village Green, Witcham, Cambridgeshire - 8th July 2006

Pea Shooting enthusiasts around the world all flock to this small village green every year for this charity event which costs a pound to enter and is all about accuracy rather than distance, a lot more skillful than pure brute breath force! Competition is fierce and true pea nerds have been known to take along laser guided shooters! This year will be the 36th annual event.

Battle of the Boyn celebrations

Northern Ireland - 12th July

In 1690, the protestant king William III (William of Orange) defeated the catholic King James II at the battle of the Boyne in defence of the protestant faith. In 1795 the orange order was formed and the Irish Protestants that joined it are now better known as ‘Orangemen’. Bands and banners are much in evidence with marches and services in Belfast and 16 other towns in Northern Ireland. The biggest parade is held in Belfast, starting at Carlisle Circus at 10.00 and taking two and a half hours to pass by any given point, with the marches assembling eventually south of the city. On the eve of the holiday, 11 July, traditional bonfires are lit around midnight in protestant areas.

Dunmow Flitch trials

Dunmow - 12th July 2008

The Dunmow Flitch Trials exist to award a flitch (side) of bacon to married couples (who may come from anywhere in the world) if they can satisfy the Judge and Jury of 6 maidens and 6 bachelors that in ' twelvemonth and a day' they have 'not wisht themselves unmarried again'. These trials go back so far that there is even a reference to them in The Wife of Bath's Tale - one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales which date back to the 14th Century, the fact that they were mentioned in folk tales means they had clearly been around for some time before that...

A common claim of the origin of the Dunmow Flitch dates back to 1104 and the Augustinian Priory of Little Dunmow, founded by Lady Juga Baynard. Lord of the Manor, Reginald Fitzwalter and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and begged blessing of the Prior a year and a day after marriage. The Prior, impressed by their devotion bestowed upon them a Flitch of Bacon. Upon revealing his true identity, Fitzwalter gave his land to the Priory on the condition a Flitch should be awarded to any couple who could claim they were similarly devoted.

By the 14th century the Dunmow Flitch had achieved far-reaching notoriety. The author William Langland who lived on the Welsh borders, mentions it in his 1362 book ‘The Vision of Piers Plowman’, in a manner that implies general knowledge of the custom among his readers.

A common claim of the origin of the Dunmow Flitch dates back to 1104 and the Augustinian Priory of Little Dunmow, founded by Lady Juga Baynard. Lord of the Manor, Reginald Fitzwalter and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and begged blessing of the Prior a year and a day after marriage. The Prior, impressed by their devotion bestowed upon them a Flitch of Bacon. Upon revealing his true identity, Fitzwalter gave his land to the Priory on the condition a Flitch should be awarded to any couple who could claim they were similarly devoted.

By the 14th century the Dunmow Flitch had achieved far-reaching notoriety. The author William Langland who lived on the Welsh borders, mentions it in his 1362 book ‘The Vision of Piers Plowman’, in a manner that implies general knowledge of the custom among his readers.

Doggett's Coat and Badge race

Chelsea Bridge - London - 14th July 2006

Instituted by comedian Thomas Doggett in 1715 in honour of King George I’s accession to the throne, Doggett’s coat and badge race is the oldest organised race in English history. Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and comedian and this is the oldest single sculling race in the world and the oldest organised race in English history!

In order that his race be continued Doggett bequeathed money to the Worshipful Company of London fishmongers who still organise it today. In his legacy Doggett provided for prizes, including a splendid red coat and silver badge, to be awarded to the champion oarsman. The Doggett coat is reddish orange, tight-waisted and full skirted and is buttoned down the front. The champion is specially fitted for the livery and once awarded the honour, there is a colourful ceremony which dates back many years and is held at the Fishmongers' Hall at London Bridge. The course covers just over four and three quarters miles and is only open to young watermen or women under the age of 28 on the day of the race.

World Snail Racing Championships

The Cricket Field - Congham, King's Lynn - 15th July 2006

Over 300 snails race hard and fast after training for years for this rigorous trial of pure brute force, strength and power... Anyone with a snail can enter this fastest snail contest and there are a number of heats held before the grand final so your snail has to be able to pace itself. The winner receives a silver tankard stuffed with lettuce! Archie, the world record holder completed a 13 inch course in just 2 minutes. Funds are raised for the 13th Century church in the village of Congham.

The Sham fight

Demesne, Scarva, County Down - 13th July

This is a ritual re-enactment by local people of the battle of the Boyne(1690). The chief characters – King William, King James, Shomberge and Sarsfield – are on horseback and their followers, dresswd in historical costumes are on foot. The colours red and green predominate, representing the opposing sides. The outcome is always the same, the victory of King William. The ‘fight’, which lasts about half an hour, is preceded by a parade of ‘Blackmen’ with bands. The sham fight starts at 13.00 and regularly attracts about 30,000 spectators and admission is free.

Lammas fair

Guildhall, Exeter, Devon - 18th July

All that is now left of the ancient three day fair and its rites is the proclamation of the charter by the mayor and the hoisting of the guilded glove. The glove indicated the start of an amnesty on all the minor crimes committed during the fair. The colourful ceremony of the Proclamation of the Fair dates back more than 900 years and Exeter is one of the few cities to maintain the tradition.

The pageant starts with a procession led by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Peter Wadham, riding in the Sheriff's Coach, followed by the Lammas Fair Pole and Glove, decorated with a traditional garland, carried by a Mace Sergeant. Behind them trail over 130 pupils from local schools and representatives of the chosen charity.

Swan Upping

River Thames from Sunbury to Pangborne - 17th - 19th July

Ownership of all the swans on the Thames is divided between Her Majesty the Queen and two of the oldest trade companies in the city – the dyers and the Vintners. Each year, starting at 9am, the marking of the swans on the Thames is carried out by the swan masters and their assistants. The swan masters are dressed in special gold-braided uniforms and their assistants wear striped jerseys. The custom dates back to the 13th century when swans where first introduced into Britain. They were the property of the Crown and a popular food source for the aristocracy. Anyone wishing to own swans had to obtain a special licence. Under a Royal charter of the 15th century, the two city companies or guilds, received the privilege of keeping swans on the river Thames from Queen Elizabeth I.

In the Swan Upping ceremony, The Queen's Swan Marker and the Swan Uppers of the Vinters' and Dyers' livery companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey up-river. The officials wear traditional scarlet uniforms and each boat flies appropriate flags and pennants. When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of "All up!" is given to signal that the boats should get into position. On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boat with oars raised and salute "Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans". The cygnets are weighed and measured to obtain estimates of growth rates and the birds are examined for any sign of injury (commonly caused by fishing hooks and line).

Swans caught by the Queen's swan uppers remain unmarked and the property of the Queen, those caught by the Dyer's swan uppers are ringed on one leg and those caught by the Vintner's are ringed on both legs (originally they were marked on the bill) There is a pub called 'The Swan with two Necks' which commemorates the ceremony and is a corruption of 'The Swan with two nicks'.

Hot Penny ceremony and Honiton fair

Honiton, Devon - 25th July

This ceremony is part of a fair that dates back to the 13 century. At 12 noon the town crier, in full uniform and followed by a crowd of children, proceeds up the High street displaying a gilded glove and proclaiming the fair with “Oyez, the glove is up, the fair has begun, no man shall be arrested until the glove is taken down, God Save The Queen”. The children repeat the same after him. When they reach the Kings Arms, the glove is put on the balcony and hot coppers are thrown from various hotels to children who, hands wrapped in rags, scramble for them. The fair takes place on the following Wednesday and Thursday and is is primary a funfair now.

Henley Royal Regatta

Starts - Temple Island, Henley on Thames - 4th - 8th July 2007

Fitst held in 1839, The Henley Royal Regatta has run continuously with the exception of the two world wars along the River Thames. It started off as a single afternoon and with its growth in popularity, has since grown to the phenomenal 5 days that it carries on for now.

As the Regatta was instituted long before national or international rowing federations were established, it occupies a unique position in the world of rowing. It has its own rules and is not subject to the jurisdiction either of the governing body of rowing in England (the Amateur Rowing Association) or of the International Rowing Federation (F.I.S.A.), but is proud of the distinction of being officially recognised by both these bodies.

The Henley Royal Regatta is reknown for its high quality of spectators, the dress code alone supports this strongly; Those attending the Regatta in the Stewards' Enclosure must dress in accordance with long-established tradition. Gentlemen are required to wear lounge suits, or jackets or blazers with flannels, and a tie or cravat. Ladies are required to wear dresses or suits with a hemline below the knee and will not be admitted wearing divided skirts, culottes or trousers of any kind. Ladies are encouraged to wear hats. - 2008 dates are 2nd - 6th July.

Tough Guy championships

Mr Mouse farm, Perton, Staffordshire - Sunday 29th July 2007

The 'Tough Guy Championships' is the original survival ordeal, a test of physical and mental endurance designed to take you beyond your limits on torture rack obstacles known as The Killing Fields, following a wild terrain warm up. It is held annually on the last Sunday in January and July. The phenomena of Tough Guy© has now evolved into cult status with mythical legends to a world wide audience and competitors from every continent coming here to try to beat this ordeal and enjoy the unique spirit of our friendship and amiability.

Each year a new theme is built into Tough Guy this ensures that it remains one of the worlds toughest events. Tough Guy will always be a physically challenging, mentally demanding, fear inducing, visual spectacular. After you have taken part you will understand why thousands keep coming back, year after year to experience some of the most demanding yet rewarding challenges of their life!

Tough guy is open to individuals and teams. The event is uniquely fear ridden and you need to be fit in both body and spirit to survive the ordeal. You will not be alone, thousands will be by your side. There you will find the true spirit of Tough Guy. Tough Guy is played on the glorious pasture at Mr Mouse Farm for Unfortunates, as the name implies the charitable work is undertaken 365 days each year looking after hundreds of retired horses, wildlife habitats and providing jobs for unfortunate people. This year's event is called the Mayan Tiger!!!!

To Join Carry On Tours on this fantastic event, click here

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