GRAVY wrestling will return to East Lancashire this summer with the Pennine Lancashire Food Festival.
This year's festival begins in August and continues into September when growers, producers, chefs, gourmets - and wrestling contenders - will descend on festival events held across the region.
The two-year-old festival is set to become more popular than ever this year, after being named as one of the top 16 tourist destinations after last year's success.
Events will take place across the six Pennine Lancashire districts of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley.
The second ever World Gravy Wrestling Championships this year takes place in Bacup, after last year's competition in Darwen became a world-famous event.
Sumo warriors, martial arts specialists and a chef were among competitors at the first international championships, when a wrestling ring was set up in Sainsbury's car park.
This year, new hopefuls will try to follow in the footsteps of the first ever world champions of gravy wrestling; Ian Marsden, Martin Skipper and the mysterious 'Super Roy the Darwen Destroyer' of the Tower Shukokai Karate Club, Darwen.
News of the wrestling event soon gained fame across the world, even gaining coverage in the Bangkok Times.
Shortly afterward, national tourism agencies Visit Britain and Enjoy England named the food festival as one of the UK's top 16 events for summer visitors in 2007.
Event organiser Jacqui Livesey said: "The event combines Lancashire's fantastic food and drink offer with a variety of cultural events, fabulous locations and favourite tourist attractions.
"Last year, the crowds laughed themselves silly at the slippery antics of the competitors in the Gravy Wrestling Championships.
"It really put East Lancashire on the map as worldwide audiences were told that 'the English sense of humour was just a a Brit different' and that Lancashire's food and drink was amazing.
"The event will welcome a vast arrray of growers, producers, chefs as well as culture-vultures and fun-lovers to support the best of the Lancashire food and drink industry."
The 2008 Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food and Culture will begin on August 18 and continue through to September 7.
Watch our video from last year's gravy wrestling competition by clicking on the link below,
10:54am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Danny, Church on 12:11pm Wed 7 May 08
Awww man!
I so wanna have a go at that Gravy Wrestling. First heard about it when i was living in Yorkshire. But erm...i dont think im allowed to participate.
Ah well, i'll just have to nip to Asda and buy loads of gravy granuals and have a rumble with arr missus lol
Awww man!
I so wanna have a go at that Gravy Wrestling. First heard about it when i was living in Yorkshire. But erm...i dont think im allowed to participate.
Ah well, i'll just have to nip to Asda and buy loads of gravy granuals and have a rumble with arr missus lol
Posted by: Bill, Burnley on 12:20pm Wed 7 May 08
Oh good. As if the rest of Britain doesn't laugh at us already.
Oh good. As if the rest of Britain doesn't laugh at us already.
Posted by: Burnley Taxpayer, Burnley on 1:29pm Wed 7 May 08
From Darwen to Bacup - says it all doesn't it! Definitely the shallow end of the gene pool!
From Darwen to Bacup - says it all doesn't it! Definitely the shallow end of the gene pool!
Posted by: Ivor Jestyenot Biggun, Standing at the back dressed stupidly and looking stupid on 4:13pm Wed 7 May 08
What a great idea, but let's not stop at gravy, what about wrestling in mushy peas, or curry sauce? And we could have events like 'dodge the dogdirt' and 'junkie throwing'. This could be our local Olympics people!
What a great idea, but let's not stop at gravy, what about wrestling in mushy peas, or curry sauce? And we could have events like 'dodge the dogdirt' and 'junkie throwing'. This could be our local Olympics people!
Posted by: Jay, Looking right into your face! on 6:25pm Wed 7 May 08
Well, I can certainly think of far better things Lancashire could be represented or 'advertised' to visitors.
And, really, is it what Lancashire wants to have as a 'claim to fame'.
Come on people there is far more to Lancashire life than this! Why not use that!
As for putting 'East Lancashire on the map?' Which map is that, then? The one with 'avoid at all costs sign' on it? Erm, well, I don't think the more discerning visitor will be wanting to come here because of gravy wrestling! It serves a minority and appeals to minority.
When you think of all the things Lancashire has to offer the visitor. Guess they aren't aiming for the more discerning clientelle, however.
Why not get Simon Callow on the job? As referee? Should be interesting ...
'Britains Got Gravy'. Lacking, shallow, lacking ... lacking consistency, texture ... get off!
You could almost swear it was April Fools Day with this rubbish! Except, the sad fact is, it's not.
For a county that has no much heritage, so much lovely countryside - back to the discerning, cultured visitor, however I guess with that, though - and hillsides. Coastlines. Why not enjoy that before someone takes it all away from us and forces anything Lancastrian - which I do not consider, nor many with common sense, any taste what this is - into a subculture.
Well, I can certainly think of far better things Lancashire could be represented or 'advertised' to visitors.
And, really, is it what Lancashire wants to have as a 'claim to fame'.
Come on people there is far more to Lancashire life than this! Why not use that!
As for putting 'East Lancashire on the map?' Which map is that, then? The one with 'avoid at all costs sign' on it? Erm, well, I don't think the more discerning visitor will be wanting to come here because of gravy wrestling! It serves a minority and appeals to minority.
When you think of all the things Lancashire has to offer the visitor. Guess they aren't aiming for the more discerning clientelle, however.
Why not get Simon Callow on the job? As referee? Should be interesting ...
'Britains Got Gravy'. Lacking, shallow, lacking ... lacking consistency, texture ... get off!
You could almost swear it was April Fools Day with this rubbish! Except, the sad fact is, it's not.
For a county that has no much heritage, so much lovely countryside - back to the discerning, cultured visitor, however I guess with that, though - and hillsides. Coastlines. Why not enjoy that before someone takes it all away from us and forces anything Lancastrian - which I do not consider, nor many with common sense, any taste what this is - into a subculture.
Posted by: Simon Cowell, Sat on a huge pile of cash! on 8:23pm Wed 7 May 08
Simon Callow? Why would you want him to referee a gravy wrestling match? I mean, he was good in Four Weddings and a Funeral but that hardly makes him suitable for such a prestigious event! So come on, give me a call, my fee will be £1,000,000 plus all the gravy I can dip my chips in (the chips will also be provided by you).
Simon Callow? Why would you want him to referee a gravy wrestling match? I mean, he was good in Four Weddings and a Funeral but that hardly makes him suitable for such a prestigious event! So come on, give me a call, my fee will be £1,000,000 plus all the gravy I can dip my chips in (the chips will also be provided by you).
Posted by: K, Rossendale on 8:43pm Wed 7 May 08
Oh dear... when and where EXACTLY is this going to be held? Then I can avoid it like I do the coconutters of an easter saturday. East Lancashire used to have some brilliant events... the Bike Show was one of them... surely it'd be better to try and get that running again? Maybe try to encourage some motorsport talent or any sort of talent? Please? I hate saying I'm from Lancashire- people look at me like I'm a bit simple lol
Oh dear... when and where EXACTLY is this going to be held? Then I can avoid it like I do the coconutters of an easter saturday. East Lancashire used to have some brilliant events... the Bike Show was one of them... surely it'd be better to try and get that running again? Maybe try to encourage some motorsport talent or any sort of talent? Please? I hate saying I'm from Lancashire- people look at me like I'm a bit simple lol
Posted by: ?, Darwen on 9:36pm Wed 7 May 08
WTF? Bit like 'Extreme Ironing'....we get the **** took out of us enough without this moronic activity bringing us down.....
WTF? Bit like 'Extreme Ironing'....we get the **** took out of us enough without this moronic activity bringing us down.....
Posted by: Manners, Darwen on 10:47pm Wed 7 May 08
I was in Darwen town hall when someone asked about this event Gravy wrestling when the person was fobbed off because they didnt know anything about it,when she walked away the receptionist was very rude and was laughing at her with the other receptionist,Stop and think eh
I was in Darwen town hall when someone asked about this event Gravy wrestling when the person was fobbed off because they didnt know anything about it,when she walked away the receptionist was very rude and was laughing at her with the other receptionist,Stop and think eh
Posted by: Zesh on 8:50am Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Burnley Taxpayer[/bold] wrote:
From Darwen to Bacup - says it all doesn't it! Definitely the shallow end of the gene pool![/quote] Hey 'Burnley Taxpayer',
are you the same guy how was boring everyone on the footy pages being all self righteous about people making daft comments?
Ha ha, you jumped up pompous hypocrite!
Burnley Taxpayer wrote:
From Darwen to Bacup - says it all doesn't it! Definitely the shallow end of the gene pool!
Hey 'Burnley Taxpayer',
are you the same guy how was boring everyone on the footy pages being all self righteous about people making daft comments?
Ha ha, you jumped up pompous hypocrite!
Posted by: Dave, Nelson on 5:28pm Thu 8 May 08
You guys need to lighten up! It’s a fun day out for all the family.
You guys need to lighten up! It’s a fun day out for all the family.
Posted by: ?, Darwen on 7:12pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Dave, Nelson[/bold] wrote:
You guys need to lighten up! It’s a fun day out for all the family.[/quote] You are not well, clearly....get the gravy out - time for some family fun....have a word.
Dave, Nelson wrote:
You guys need to lighten up! It’s a fun day out for all the family.
You are not well, clearly....get the gravy out - time for some family fun....have a word.
Posted by: danny, Accy on 11:38pm Thu 8 May 08
I dont really think the gravy wrestling is the reason behind the rest of the nation laughing at us. Im pretty sure their's more reasons.
"Accrington Stanley, who are they?"
I dont really think the gravy wrestling is the reason behind the rest of the nation laughing at us. Im pretty sure their's more reasons.
"Accrington Stanley, who are they?"
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