The ‘40th World Worm Charming Championship’ took place on the afternoon of Saturday 29th June 2019 within the grounds of Willaston Primary Academy http://www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/ , Derwent Close, Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire.
The World Worm Charming Championship was founded as a community project to raise funds for the school by Gordon Farr (former Headteacher of Willaston Primary School), John Bailey (former Deputy headteacher of Willaston Primary School), and Mike Forster (former Willaston Village Police officer).
The Championship worming commenced at 2pm following an inspection of the plots by the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP).
The countdown to the beginning of worming was performed by special guest Danny Higginbotham who is a sports journalist and former professional footballer.
Participants in each of the 144 plots had 30 minutes to charm and collect as many worms as possible from their 3x3 metre plot. There were 'traditional' plots for two adults and two children and 'tag-team' plots for teams who wished to change their pairings throughout the charming period. This year hard ground made for tough conditions.
Techniques to agitate the soil included the traditional method of vibrating a garden fork, along with alternative methods such as skipping on the spot, playing a clarinet, whacking a golf club and bouncing a football. Chris White from Wistaston dressed alternately as a blackbird and an earthworm. He also sang and performed on his ukulele to entice worms with ‘There's A Worm At The Bottom Of The Garden’, ‘The Worm’, ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’, and ‘Good Vibrations’.
Whilst awaiting the results of the worm count, there were events in the playground and arena including performances from Co-operative wind bands (Crewe) and Apex Cheer cheerleading team, and singing from the Willaston Primary Academy Choir.
The arena and adjacent areas were surrounded by charity stalls, zorbing, an inflatable slide, bouncy castle and food and drink outlets.
Charities represented included Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Little Bea’s bell tent hire, The Little White Tuk Tuks wedding transport service, South West Cheshire eurojam 2020 Poland, My Candy Cloud, hope house, Willaston Pre-School, Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme, and Railtrack Rail Safe. There was also a grand draw raffle and a scavenger hunt.
Mike Forster, Event Co-organiser and Chief Wormer of Great Britain and the World, gave his sincere thanks to Friends of Willaston School Association – PTA, Willaston Primary Academy staff, other volunteers and visitors for their continued support of the event. Mike hinted that this year may be his last event as Event Co-organiser and Chief Wormer after 40 years, but said if it was, he would still be involved with helping to organise the event into the future.
The Chief Wormer's trophy was given to International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP) co-founder & former Willaston Primary School headteacher Gordon Farr for services to worm charming since 1980.
The Championship trophy for Most Worms was given to IFCWAP co-founder & former Willaston Village Police officer Mike Forster for services to worm charming since 1980. Therefore, a new Championship trophy for Most Worms had been produced and was awarded to Sam & Ollie Dobson in plot 1 with 64 worms.
Heaviest Worm trophy was won by Daniel Summers and his five nephews (Tyler, Jake, Charlie, William, Elliot) from Crewe with a worm that weighed a new official world record of 8 grams.
The championship also included representatives from USA, Philippines, Spain, along with Isle of Man Worm Charming Champions Jackie and Adrian Darbyshire.
The main sponsor was Bristol Street Motors.
The event took place in dry and sunny weather and was enjoyed by several hundred people.
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