Saturday 20th July 2019
Afternoon
More than 200 snails slug it out every year in the World Snail Racing Championships held at Congham, in Norfolk. Why not come along as a spectator or even as a trainer and enter your own snail!
Congham is ideal racing and breeding ground for snails and has been host to the World Championships for more than 25 years. Said organiser, Hilary Scase: "Snails like damp conditions and as Congham is surrounded by ponds and is very low lying it is just right for snails. Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing.”
Farmer, Neil Riseborough, is Snail Trainer to the World Championships. He keeps order, tests for drugs, watches out for cheating and starts the races. Neil shouts: "Ready, steady, SLOW!,, and off dash the snails He keeps the course well-watered to encourage good speeds. Races are held on top of a table with a damp cloth spread out. Heats are held throughout the afternoon with a grand final at the end. The winner gets a silver tankard stuffed with lettuce leaves.
The World Snail Racing Championships are part of Congham, Fete which is help to raise money for the 13th century St Andrew's Church.
Price: FREE to attend, but naturally they'd like you to bring lots of cash to support the fundraising
Location: Congham, Norfolk
world, snail, racing, championships, congham, norfolk, fete, fundraising
Why not stay at Deepdale Camping & Rooms for 'World Snail Racing Championships'
Other Dates For Your Diary |
Brancaster Mussels in Season |
Tue 1 Oct to Fri 28 Feb |
Flights of Geese |
Tue 1 Oct to Fri 28 Feb |
West Norfolk Artists Association Opening Exhibition |
Sat 14 Dec to Sun 23 Feb |
Snowdrop Walks |
Mon 27 Jan to Sun 2 Mar |
Camping - Midweek 3 for 2 Special Offer |
Sun 2 Feb to Thu 27 Mar |
Self Catering Rooms - Midweek 3 for 2 Special Offer |
Sun 2 Feb to Thu 27 Mar |
The Wild Side by Alfie Bowen - Exhibition |
Tue 4 Feb to Sun 2 Mar |
Glazed & Fused Exhibition - Dale Devereux Barker |
Sat 15 Feb to Wed 26 Mar |
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Sat 22 Feb |
Nelson's Shantymen Rehearsal |
Mon 24 Feb |
Deepdale Hedge Planting Weekend |
Fri 28 Feb to Sun 2 Mar |
NWT Cley Marshes - Beach Clean |
Sat 1 Mar |
Nelson's Shantymen Rehearsal |
Mon 3 Mar |
The Jolly Charity Pub Quiz |
Tue 4 Mar |
Walking Women |
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Holkham Parkrun |
Saturday 19th July |
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Nelson's Shantymen Rehearsal |
Monday 14th July |
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Wednesday 17th September |
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Sunday 30th November |