Home   Weald   News   Article

With many unable to make Olympic Games in Tokyo, Cranbrook Rugby Club presents the Weald Rural Games

One town is to get its very own, totally wacky, version of the Olympics.

With Covid dashing many sports fans' hopes of getting to the Games in Tokyo next month, Cranbrook Rugby Club, in the Weald, is putting on its own version, of the contest.

Forget Tokyo, there is more sporting fun to be had in Cranbrook this summer. Picture iStock
Forget Tokyo, there is more sporting fun to be had in Cranbrook this summer. Picture iStock

Forget the 100m sprint, long jump and javelin, participants at the Weald Rural Games will be competing in tug-o-war, egg and spoon races, welly wanging, egg roulette and bottle walking.

The charity event, at the Tomlin Ground, off Angley Road in Cranbrook on Saturday, August 14 will even finish with a tomato fight to rival the likes of La Tomatina in Spain.

Rugby club co-ordinater Chris Hambridge, from Kilndown, has been planning the eccentric extravaganza since January having been researching traditional fete games from across the world.

The 55-year-old said: "Whilst supporters can't make it to the Olympics, we have our very own that all the family can take part in.

"This is all about having a laugh. You have the egg and spoon race at school, now it's the kids' time to challenge granny, challenge mum, challenge your brother or sister."

La Tomatina festival in the Spanish town of Bunol in 2018 where people throw tomatoes. The Weald Rural Games will have its own version. Picture: iStock/Jack F
La Tomatina festival in the Spanish town of Bunol in 2018 where people throw tomatoes. The Weald Rural Games will have its own version. Picture: iStock/Jack F
Chris Hambridge, organiser of the first Weald Rural Games
Chris Hambridge, organiser of the first Weald Rural Games

This isn't the first bonkers event to come to the area.

Coxheath has hosted the annual world custard pie championships since 1967, with teams from as far afield as Japan turning up to fling flans at one another.

That event is scheduled to go ahead on September 4.

As well as the more traditional games at the Weald Rural Games, spectators can watch egg roulette, where competitors smash eggs against their heads, hoping they get a hard boiled rather than a raw one and bottle walking - where you hop across a line of skittles.

There will also be a rugby match, bowling for a 'pig', a golfing challenge, and a bar.

The custard pie throwing competition in Coxheath is a must-see fixture in the calendar. Picture: Steve Crispe
The custard pie throwing competition in Coxheath is a must-see fixture in the calendar. Picture: Steve Crispe
Welly wanging will be another of the attractions as a day of fun games is planned
Welly wanging will be another of the attractions as a day of fun games is planned

Admission is £1 and the money raised will be split between the rugby club, Hospice in the Weald and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

Read more: All the latest news from Weald

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More