Conkers

Replay

From the collection of

MACE is the strategic lead organisation for screen heritage for the East and West Midlands regions. An independent charity based at University of Lincoln, MACE preserves and makes accessible a collection of more than 100,000 historic moving images representative of the diverse cultures and histories of communities throughout the heart of England from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh border.

Conkers (ATV Today)

Media Archive for Central England
Ashton
1981-10-12
Sound
2m

Ever wondered where the conker capital of the world is? Thought not. Oh! Okay, if you insist: it's Aston in Northamptonshire.

Self proclaimed 'Conker King', Vic Owen, has to wear a new string of conkers around his neck every year the World Championships are held at Aston in East Northamptonshire. As they've been running the event since 1965 that honour must be starting to weigh quite heavy. This film shows us the 1981 event. It's a disappointing year for the 1979 champion Charlie Bray with a new name on the trophy that has become legendary as far away as Oundle - Bill Cox.

The World Conker Championships were held in the village of Aston in East Northamptonshire from 1965 until 2010 surviving high winds and disease (to the conkers). Subsequently the event has taken place in the nearby village of Southwick.

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