Brits take part in unusual traditions to mark August Bank Holiday

2022-08-29

Snack-down! Rivals battle it out in world GRAVY wrestling championships and play football in a RIVER as Brits take part in unusual traditions to mark August Bank Holiday

Thousands of revellers ended up watching or partaking in some weird and wonderful activities today
The ‘world gravy wrestling championships’ were held in the Rose ‘N’ Bowl Pub in Lancashire this afternoon
Meanwhile, two teams braved chilly water for the annual Football In The River match in Gloucestershire

Brits have marked the August Bank Holiday today with an array of unusual traditions, from world gravy wrestling championships to playing football in a river.

One of the day’s weird and wonderful highlights has to be the ‘world gravy wrestling championships’ held in Lancashire this afternoon.

A thousand revellers descended on the pub garden of the Rose ‘N’ Bowl Pub in Stacksteads, Rossendale to spend their Bank Holiday Monday watching 30 men and 10 women do battle in a brown sauce-soaked ring.

The international competition – named one of the top 10 weirdest ‘sports’ and pastimes – is usually an annual event at the pub but returned today for the first time since the pandemic.

Meanwhile, two teams braved chilly water to take part in the annual Football In The River match in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.

While much of the country has basked in a heatwave this summer and many areas have been declared a drought, the pitch in the Cotswolds was waterlogged – but this did not put off the players, as well as the thousands of spectators.

One of the day’s weird and wonderful highlights has to be the ‘world gravy wrestling championships’ held in Lancashire this afternoon

Meanwhile, two teams braved chilly water to take part in the annual Football In The River match in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

For her charity event, pub manager, Carol Low, 50, said she had stockpiled 2000 litres of gravy to keep the contest flowing throughout the afternoon.

And the mother-of-two, who has worked at the local pub since she was 17, said guests could expect to see contestants dressed in all manner of bizarre fighting outfits.

The 50-year-old said the final winner of the tournament, which raises money for local charities like East Lancashire Hospice, would be decided by a panel of four experienced local judges.

For her charity event, pub manager, Carol Low, 50, said she had stockpiled 2000 litres of gravy to keep the contest flowing throughout the afternoon

The international competition – named one of the top 10 weirdest ‘sports’ and pastimes – is usually an annual event at the pub but returned today for the first time since the pandemic

Ms Low said guests could expect to see contestants dressed in all manner of bizarre fighting outfits

The 50-year-old said the final winner of the tournament, which raises money for local charities like East Lancashire Hospice, would be decided by a panel of four experienced local judges. Pictured are the winners of the female and male events, Imogen Young and Lloyd Ckarkson

She explained: ‘It started about 10 years [ago], and first took place in a car park. Then it got bigger and bigger, and it raises a lot of funds for local hospices.

‘We’ve stockpiled 2000 litres of gravy, and we’re expecting maybe over 1000 people to turn out.

‘We’ve had people come dressed as postman pat, and everything – and this year, we’ve got 30 men and 10 women competing.

‘We have four judges and a referee for the tournament. It takes us two days to clean up the site after we’ve finished.

She added: ‘I’ve worked here for 33 years. I started when I was 17 doing just one night a week. But it wasn’t me that came up with the idea!’

When it came to the wet football match, the 30-minute game was played out between mixed teams of Bourton Rovers 1st XI and 2nd XI and kicked off at 11.30am.

Around 2,000 spectators lined the banks of the river to enjoy the annual five-a-side clash that takes place in the ankle-deep water of the Windrush.

It is not clear how the idea of playing a football match in a river first arose, but the tradition has reportedly been going strong for around 100 years.

The match regularly draws large crowds and fans are advised to wear waterproofs if they plan to stand close to the side of the ‘pitch’.

When it came to the wet football match, the 30-minute game was played out between mixed teams of Bourton Rovers 1st XI and 2nd XI and kicked off at 11.30am

Around 2,000 spectators lined the banks of the river to enjoy the annual five-a-side clash that takes place in the ankle-deep water of the Windrush

It is not clear how the idea of playing a football match in a river first arose, but the tradition has reportedly been going strong for around 100 years

The match regularly draws large crowds and fans are advised to wear waterproofs if they plan to stand close to the side of the ‘pitch’

This year’s match ended 3-3 after the 2nd XI in yellow shirts scored a last minute equaliser when the ref was distracted

This year’s match ended 3-3 after the 2nd XI in yellow shirts scored a last minute equaliser when the ref was distracted.

The 1st XI had taken an early lead and a second goal was ruled out after the referee consulted the riverside VAR.

The second half started with the 1st XI 2-1 up and they quickly made it 3-1 before the 2nd XI missed a controversial penalty when it was saved by the goalkeeper.

The 2nd XI came back into the game when the 1st XI had a player sent off for a second bookable offence and pulled the game back to 3-2.

They had an equaliser chalked off by the ref for collapsing the goal posts but at the death brought the game to 3-3 with the last kick of the game.

Jack Galpin, who refereed the game dressed as a woman, said: ‘It is brilliant to have the crowds back as the last couple of years have been a lot quieter during the pandemic.

‘It is brilliant for us as a club as this event is our main fundraiser for the year and it was amazing to see so many people watching.’

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