Conkers
4th Scottish Conker Championship a Smashing Success
2010 proved to be the biggest and best year yet for the Scottish Conker Championships, with a record-breaking 92 competitors turning up at Tweed Green, Peebles on 23rd October. Once again the competitors converged from all corners of the British Isles as well as the Borders, with one visiting New Zealander trying his luck. As the crowds looked on in the championship marquee, there were some incredible displays of conkering strength and skill.
The four categories (Juniors, Youths, Adults and Rogues) were hotly contested. Conkers were provided for the aged categories and competitors in the rogue competition were able compete with their own their own doctored conker, some of which were allegedly soaked in vinegar or dried in airing cupboards. 14 year-old William Wilson beat the Forestry Commission’s Iain Laidlaw in the Rogues final, but wouldn’t spill the beans on any secret treatment his conker had been subjected to.
The Adult contest included 2007 World Conker Champion Ady Hurrell, as well as his brother, 2009 Scottish Conker Champion Maurice Hurrell plus 2008 Scottish Champion Fiona Griggs. There were also plenty of novices trying their hand, but it wasn’t long before experience showed out. The tension was palpable as Fiona Griggs took on Tullibody’s Maurice Hurrell in the final, but it was Peebles-based Mrs Griggs who delivered the winning smash to lift the Adult title.
The next generation of champions took to the task enthusiastically, with 14 year-old Matthew McDonald from Peebles lifting the Youth prize (ages 12-18), with 12 year-old Emily Rayson of the Yarrow Valley as Runner Up. The Juniors (ages 7-11) saw some variation in the size of the competitors and at times there were worried looks from parents as to how their offspring would fare against a larger opponent. The final saw 11 year-old Lily Ashrowan of Roberton take the title, her cool, calm and collected approach trouncing 9 year-old Runner-up Sam Cunningham.
All winners received a beautiful handmade elm burr conker made by local wood turner Bruce Frost from Wood Works in Peebles. The championship was organised by local environmental charity, Borders Forest Trust as part of the Tweed Valley Forest Festival.