A royal delivery of a specially‑made conker has saved the world’s biggest conker‑shooting contest from last‑minute cancellation. The World Conker Championships, an annual bead‑sized‑seed competition, is back on schedule in the small market town of Willington, where over 200 participants from 15 countries will head‑to‑head in a wet‑weather drought.
Local organisers said the delivery from the Prince of Wales, who carried the trophy in a silver‑lined parcel, gave the event the morale boost it needed. “We were worried we might have to call it off,” said manager James Hall. “The royal arrival, with the championship‑sized conker, shot down any doubts.” The conker, hand‑carved from cherry wood, is the winning seed that the champion will display before the final shots.
The Championships, which first opened in 2007, blend odd‑ball UK tradition with a growing crowd of recreational shooters. Each year the participants line up beside the River Wye, ready to launch their wooden‑seed shooters at each other’s targets. Meanwhile, the local community markets the event as a test of both patience and skill. Visitors flock to Willington’s tasting stalls, local pubs, and online auction sites that sell custom conker attributes.
The royal support is not only in symbolic terms. The Royal Family publicly announced a generous donation to the local council, allowing the organizers to upgrade safety gear and secure a supply of fresh conkers for the contest. “When you put up a trophy ring for the community, it gives people a reason to band together,” said the Prince’s spokesperson.
The Championships will run from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, 12 July, with a prize‑money pot of £5,000 on the line. After the final shots, the champion will take a ceremonial tour through the town, carrying the triumphant conker past the crowd before the official trophies are handed out. Followers on social media will edge forward with live commentary. The event ticks off another top place on the UK’s summer sports festival itinerary, and the Royal delivery keeps the world’s favourite seed‑shooting contest alive on the national calendar.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
