The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships were back in Ramsbottom this weekend (Sunday, 8 September).
Regardless of the rainy weather, contenders and spectators gathered outside The Oaks pub on Bridge Street to see the traditional annual contest in action.
People paid £2 for three Bury black pudding missiles, which were then thrown at a pile of Yorkshire pudding balanced on a 20ft plinth.
Organisers estimated more than 1,000 people took part in the festivities this year.
Harry Ogden, 18, from Salford was crowned this year’s winner after knocking six puds off.
It was his first time visiting the event and was joined by his dad, Phil.
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Harry said: “I thought it was amazing. I think it’s perfect for the community to have a little get-together. A daft little competition and I ended up winning it.”
His dad added: “It’s been brilliant, he absolutely smashed it.”
The was a double victory in the juniors round with joint winners, Georgie White from Liverpool and Dexter Johnson from Bolton, both managing to knock an impressive three Yorkshire puddings each off the podium.
Georgie was at the event for the second time and shared that her sister, Libby, was the world champion in 2022, making it a new family tradition.
Dexter said it was a “surprise” and that his parents, Carrie and Gareth, had only told him about the festival that day.
The family hadn’t been before but decided to visit as it was ‘something different’ to do.
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This year’s event was dedicated to late chef and TV personality, Dave Myers who would have been 67 years old today (Sunday, September 8).
The competition is taken seriously, with Tony Sinacola of Chadwicks Black Puddings on Bury Market testing that they are within the correct weight and size criteria.
They are then stuffed into a stocking to stop them from disintegrating upon landing.
The Yorkshire puddings are provided by Aunt Bessie’s and according to organisers, they “stand up to the drop better than any others”.
Those taking part must stand on a small painted block named the golden grid to throw their puddings.
All proceeds are donated to charity.
Artist Gareth Cash visited from Swinton and has attended “loads of times” previously.
He said: “It’s always a good day out and it doesn’t even matter about the weather really. It’s a nice village to visit too.”
He came on a coach with more than 50 friends from the White Lion pub in Salford, many of whom were visiting for the first time.
There was also plenty of entertainment in the town with bands performing in the Memories courtyard.
The event is said to have been inspired by a 1455 battle in nearby Stubbins during the War of the Roses, fought by the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
The two sides are said to have run out of ammunition during the bloody rivalry so resorted to throwing food at each other.
Legend has it that combatants from Lancashire picked up local delicacy black pudding, while Yorkshire puddings were used by their rivals from the white rose county.
The event was revived by a pub landlord in the 1980s and now sees thousands flock to the market town to battle it out for the world champion crown.
Competitors of all ages take turns to hurl the delicacy - made from pig's blood- at a 20ft-high plinth in a bid to dislodge a dozen Yorkshire puddings.
Participants stand on a golden grid in the town centre and try to knock down as many as possible with their underarm throws.
Previous competitions have been won by competitors from as far away as Turkey and Australia.
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