THE organisers of the annual West of England Open Conker Championships at Speech House have added a new feature and a new challenge to the event – arm wrestling.
And they are inviting pubs, clubs and firms to sponsor their own champions to take up the challenge on October 21.
"We are also looking for an event sponsor – not a significant financial commitment but primarily to put up some prizes or trophies," said spokesman Peter Wischhusen of the Royal Forest of Dean Rotary Club, which is organising the event.
And he said the Rotary Club would be happy to take its two tournament-standard stand-up arm wrestling tables to venues such as pubs so that they can run contests to find their own champions.
"The arm wrestling competition will be run in two parts – a sponsored class, with pubs, clubs and firms sponsoring their own champion to compete in the finals, and a class that will be open to anyone on the day of the event," said Peter.
The Rotary Club had decided to incorporate arm-wrestling into its conker championships along with a number of other attractions to make the event even more popular.
"Both adults and children compete in the conker competition and the larger the crowd, the more entries we achieve," said Peter.
Side shows, children's entertainment, a silver band, a craft show and a barbecue were also planned so that the whole day will be a big attraction for families as well as individuals.