Dorset knob-throwing festival to return with new venue

The contest sees people hurl Dorset's traditional knob biscuits down a field

Knob throwing is set for a comeback in Dorset after the popular festival was scrapped because it had become too big.

Organisers of the Dorset Knob Festival and Knob Throwing Games have said the event, which has grown every year since it began in 2008, will return in 2024.

The games, where people compete to hurl the county's traditional biscuits the furthest, was last held in 2019.

Organisers said they have agreed a partnership with a new host and will be making a full announcement in March.

A statement on the Knob Throwing website said: "After a challenging period marked by growth, venue shifts and the pandemic, we're thrilled to announce our partnership with a prestigious new host for 2024."

The last event in 2019 attracted more than 8,000 people.

The festival was cancelled in 2020 because no venue was available and in 2021 due to Covid.

It had been expected to take place again in May 2022 but organisers said it had "reached such a size that it cannot be run by a small village committee".

The festival also includes a knob-eating contest

The one-day event began in Cattistock and includes a food festival and live music.

It features a host of fun knob-themed events using the spherical biscuit, including a knob and spoon race, guess the weight of the big knob and knob darts.

A knob-eating contest sees people try to eat as many biscuits as they can in one minute.

What are Dorset knobs?

• The biscuits have been made by the Moores family in Dorset for more than 150 years

• Originally, they were made from leftover bread dough with added butter and sugar, hand-rolled and left to dry in the dying heat of the oven

• It is thought their name comes from the hand-sewn Dorset knob buttons that were also made locally

• They can be eaten with Blue Vinny cheese, dipped in tea or cider, or taken with honey and cream - known locally as thunder and lightning

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