Shropshire gurning contest gets ugly
[gallery] It is an English tradition which dates back to the 13th century –- and people in Shropshire have had their chance to pull ugly faces in a gurning contest.
It is an English tradition which dates back to the 13th century –- and people in Shropshire have had their chance to pull ugly faces in a gurning contest.
The gurning contest was held over three days at Dudmaston Hall at Quatt, near Bridgnorth, as part of the National Trust property's celebrations over the diamond jubilee weekend. Enthusiasts young and old donned a horse collar and pulled contorted faces, with prizes for the winners.
And organisers have declared the event a success after more than 2,800 people visited the hall from Sunday to Tuesday.
Traditional games such as egg and spoon races and a coconut shy were on offer. Visitors also had the chance to make a Queen Elizabeth II-inspired peg doll.
Gurning contests are a rural English tradition. One of the most famous has been held for hundreds of years at Egremont Crab Fair in western Cumbria.
Tessa Lovell, enterprise manager at Dudmaston Hall, said: "The event at Dudmaston over the bank holiday went brilliantly. It was great to have lots of visitors taking part in the games and there was a great atmosphere around the property."
