Gravy Wrestling: jus the ticket

MONDAY 29 August sees Rossendale play host to the fifth annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships. The event aims to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice and other charities chosen by the participants, as well as inviting business to get involved and sponsor someone. 

When the going gets tough...the stock gets bubbling. 

The event was voted into the top ten of the weirdest sports and pastimes in 2010 and returns this year to the Rose‘N’Bowl in Stacksteads, Rossendale, where hundreds of people are expected to gather. 

Bouts last two minutes and points are awarded for fancy dress, entertainment and comedy effect, not forgetting wrestling ability and both of last year’s champions will be back to defend their crowns, so participants need to be as strong as an ox(o). 

Ken Claxon, who organises the event, spoke to Confidential about the event. 

“Mud wrestling and jelly wrestling have long since been in existence so why not gravy wrestling?” he said. “The event was originally part of the now defunct Pennine and Lancashire Food Festival and proved so popular that it was decided to revive it as a charity event.

"In the past it had been exclusively in aid of the Hospice but this year it was decided to expand that to allow participants to raise money for their own charities as well. Last year’s event raised around £4500 and it is hoped to increase that gravy train further this year.” 

Although the event is for charity and is designed to “stir the imagination” (if not the pot) it is still fiercely competitive and all those who enter (a minimum of sixteen men and eight women) will have to properly battle for the title. 

When the going gets tough...the stock gets bubbling. 

More information can be found at www.worldgravywrestling.com