Bumper conker harvest boosts pub tournament

The organiser of the Waveney Valley Conkers Tournament, Yanny Mac (centre), said the competition at the Locks Inn at Geldeston raised money for charity

A bumper horse chestnut tree crop has been welcomed by the organiser of the "second biggest conker competition in the world".

The 18th annual Waveney Valley Conkers Tournament will take place on 6 October at The Locks Inn at Geldeston, near Beccles, on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

Host and referee, Yanny Mac, said that because of the early drop this season, some contestants had decided to freeze their conkers or preserve them in alcohol before the big day.

He said the tournament was "an ancient, noble art and a fantastic sport - and this year's great conker harvest will set up some brilliant matches".

James Packer, chairman of the World Conker Championships held in Northamptonshire on 13 October, said: "This year looks like being a bumper harvest.

"We already have friends collecting conkers for us as we need between 3,000 and 3,500 for the event, which is the world's biggest conker tournament."

The Waveney Valley Conkers Tournament is described by its organiser as "less serious" than the World Championships held in Northamptonshire, and features several categories, including Best Dressed Conker

Mr Mac said: "We are now the second largest conker tournament in the world and we have slightly different rules and slightly different categories to the World Championships.

"It started when me and a few mates from university just wanted to have a game of conkers and a friend of mine suggested going to the Locks Inn and the landlord at the time said why don't we make this an annual event.

"It's all about accuracy, respect, patience, guile and tenacity, but three snags and you're out."

He said a boxing ring would be set up at the pub for contests and "it can get quite serious at times".

"Last year's winner Carl Murray, the skipper of the Beccles Black Dog Ferry, was seen running around the pub garden after his victory."

Mr Packer said the World Conker Championships - held in the village of Southwick, near Corby, had raised more than £400,000 for charity since starting in 1965.

"This year we need to collect the conkers before they get too wet and before wild animals start taking them away, but so far it's looking like it's been a good year for the crop," he said.