Egremont Crab Fair has made a huge comeback for 2023 with famous faces, world records and endless fun.
Today saw the return of the event’s historical competitions and activities including the climbing of the greasy pole, the apple cart spectacle, the highly anticipated World Gurning Championships and more.
It’s one of the oldest fair’s in the world and has been running for a whopping 750 years – cancelled only for COVID-19 and the death of The Queen.
This year, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised the fair as having the longest running gurning competition in history.
Gurning champion Tommy Mattinson was also named as a world record breaker for winning the contest 17 – now 18 – consecutive years in a row.
Sky only added to the crowd’s excitement and were spotted filming for a TV show around the fair and during the gurning championships – which led to comedians Nish Kumar and Josh Widdicombe giving gurning a go on stage with the rest of the competitors.
While Nish said he’d spent his whole life waiting for his moment to gurn – Josh said it was the worst moment of his life.
Ewan Frost-Pennington, who now runs Muncaster Castle after taking over from his parents, also entered the gurning.
The main street was busy all day from 9am onwards following the blessing of the fair by a local vicar. The main stage then welcomed local school, youth groups and clubs for singing and dance performances.
Vendors selling crafts, sweets, clothing and soaps lined the streets until midday alongside food vendors who opened shop on Friday. Classic cars and motorbikes were also on show.
The climbing of the greasy pole took place at 10.30am, with air mattresses, helmets and waivers at the ready.
One brave man, James Cuthbert – who climbed the pole every year as a youngster – stepped up first to take it on and instantly impressed the audience by completing the feat in one swift climb and winning the top prize of a leg of lamb.
Several other youngsters attempted to climb the pole before the street was then cleared for the riding of the boundary.
Dozens of horses and riders donning Victorian-style outfits paraded down the street which was then followed by the apple cart spectacle.
During which, apples are thrown from the back of a van for the public to hopefully catch.
The action then moved to the Sports Field – where Crabfest took place along with various races, a dog show, horticulture show, produce and craft tent and Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.
The day culminated with the World Gurning Championships, hosted by Robbie Dee with prizes awarded by Crab Fair Queen Rhya Melville. Winners received rosettes, trophy’s and cash.
The Crab Fair committee also paid a special tribute to Gordon Blacklock, a gurning champion who died in 2020.
World Gurning Championship Results
The youngest gurning competitor to don the horse collar was three-year-old Una, who won over the crowd with her tiny gurn.
People travelled from all across Cumbria and the wider UK to be part of the event – with some competitors hailing from London, Birmingham, Yorkshire, and even the USA.
In joint first place for the junior gurning championships came Kendall Lister, daughter of female world gurning champion Claire Lister and Isla Alexa.
In second place came Indi Mattinson, the granddaughter of Tommy Mattinson and in third place came Lexi Park.
For the women’s category, Claire Lister retained her title as female world gurning champion, which she has now kept for seven years.
In second place came Sarah Hull and in third place came Joanne Yeoman.
For the men’s world gurning championship, Tommy Mattinson retained his title and in second place came Jed and in third place came Ady Zivelonghi.
After retaining his title and receiving a Guinness world record, Tommy said: “I just want to say thanks for all the support, not just for me but for everyone who gets up here on this stage.
“It’s so good to see everyone turn up here after a four year break due to COVID and the death of The Queen. I also want to give a special mention to Gordon Blacklock, we gurned everywhere together. I will always miss him and it was very sad to not see him at the back of the room tonight.
The fair is set to continue for a third day tomorrow with Dancing in the Field – a new event that starts at 12.30pm on the Sports Field. Tickets on the door cost £7 and children go free.
