Proud to be Ugly!

Egremont's World Gurning Contest

 Since medieval times the folk of Egremont have celebrated Crab Apple time with a unique day of events.
High point is the World Gurning Championship, held in Egremont in the Western Lake District.

The event has been running as part of the 'Crab Fair & Sports' since 1267. This event represents everything that is quirky and British and as such receives a proud local, as well as national and international, following. Will 2005 see a new World Champion or can 7 Times Champion Tommy Mattinson retain the title for another year. This year the event is also being supported by Jeremy Deller (Turner Prize 2004) and fellow artist Alan Kane, after the massive success of their recent 'Folk Archive' exhibition launch at the barbican.
The 2007 winner of the World Gurning was Tommy Mattinson from Aspatria.

Crab Fayre day usually on a Saturday around the 16th of September features climbing up the greasy pole to try and get the leg of lamb nailed at the top, street races, a fun fair and in the evening at the Market Hall the World Gurning Campionships. Contestants have to try and pull the ugliest face with their heads stuck through a horse's braffin or collar. TV crews from all over the world attend and media interest led US companies to start sponsoring the event.
2003 WORLD gurning champion Tommy Mattinson dedicated his third-time victory to legend Peter Jackman during the climax of an emotional Egremont Crab Fair Mr Jackman died earlier this year in a tragic cliff accident in Spain six months ago. He had won the World Gurning Championships four times

In 2001 Tommy Mattinson, of Aspatria, Cumbria, was judged winner.
Tommy was runner-up last year*s championship and beat 16 ugly competitiors to win the 2001 prize.

Local favourite Peter Jackman, 44, a worker at Sellafield, had won the title last year but was forced to settle for second.
There was a upset in the ladies championship when defending champion Anne Woods, 53, was beaten for only the second time in her life.
Anne, who lives in Egremont had won the trophy 24 years running but was out-gurned by Sammy Jackson.
The junior championship was 13-year-old Martin Sanderson, of Egremont.
Seen winning last year's (2000) event was popular Egremont man , the late Peter Jackman. The Crab Fair was first held in 1267, when King Henry III granted a Royal Charter to Thomas de Multon (1247-1294), Lord of the Barony of Egremont, for a weekly market and an annual crab fair.

Promotions Manager
Egremont Crab Fair & Sports
Rob Merrett, 18 Harpur Place, Thornhill, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2SG
Tel: 01946 824 052

The Crab Fayre's own website can be found at http://www.egremontcrabfair.org.uk

Information about the Lake District and other events.

Egremont's other big event..sadly allowed to lapse...the Medieval Festival