The World Pooh Sticks Championships, organised by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires, Oxfordshire, have been named ‘Britain’s favourite quirky event’ in the Countryfile Magazine Awards 2012.
Now in its second year, the Countryfile Magazine Awards are a celebration of countryside and its people. In each of the 12 categories, a panel of experts drew up a shortlist of candidates. The awards were then voted for by readers of the magazine and members of the public. Here’s what the magazine had to say about the World Pooh Sticks Championships: “Britain would be a poorer place without eccentric country pursuits. From a line-up including pie throwing and snail racing, you chose the classic game invented by Pooh Bear. The championships, organised by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires, are played at Little Wittenham.”
Karen Eveleigh, event organiser of the World Pooh Sticks Championships and member of Oxford Spires, commented: “We at Rotary are delighted that we have been awarded this honour and would like to thank everyone that voted for us. The award is just as much for the friends, family and other volunteers who help us run the event. We look forward to another successful event in 2013 which will be the 30th year of the championship”.
The Championships traditionally take place on a Sunday in late March. Pooh Bear and Tigger bounce around all day long entertaining children and performing for TV cameras. Articles following the event this year appeared on the TV news in places as far away as China and Dubai and the individual winner, four year old Aidan Eltham from Walllingford, was even invited to appear on BBC The One Show sofa with Alex and Matt.
Other activities that are put on for families to enjoy were Roll-a-Penny, Hook-a-Duck, a Coconut Shy, Welly Throwing, a Bouncy Castle and Splat-the-Rat as well as the ever popular BBQ.
The championships could not be run without the help of members from other Rotary and Rotaract clubs: Abingdon Vesper Rotary club, Rotary Club of Banbury, High Wycombe Rotaract Club, Oxford Rotaract Club, Sinodun Rotary club and Windsor & St George Rotary Club. Thanks also must go to the residents of Little Wittenham, the 15th Didcot Scout Group, to friends and family of Oxford Spires members and to local sponsors.
The event raises approximately £3,000 for local, national and international charities supported by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires and the other Rotary clubs that helped.
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