Picture special: World Worm Charming Championships in Willaston

By Jonathan White
Hundreds of people and BBC TV crews enjoyed the 34th World Worm Charming Championship near Nantwich.

The event at Willaston Primary School saw competitors in 144 plots trying to collect as many worms as possible in 30 minutes.

And BBC Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton joined in the fun as her attempt was filmed for an episode of the popular children’s programme.

There were ‘traditional’ plots for teams of two and ‘tag-team’ plots for teams who wished to change their pairings during the charming period.

Techniques included vibrating a garden fork, singing, playing a musical instrument and riding an adapted bicycle.

The Championship Trophy for Most Worms was presented by Willaston Rose Queen Amy Smallman to eight-year old Ellie-Jay Morris and granddad Steve Palmer with 303 worms on plot 98.

The Chief Wormer’s trophy for youngest wormer was won by six-month-old Ted Forster – grandson of event organiser Mike Forster.

Most Promising Newcomer Award with 178 worms was Louie-Breeze Loft, while the Heaviest Worm trophy was won by five year old Harry Price at an impressive 6.5g.

The championships also included representatives from Australia (163 worms), the Philippines (105), Holland (212), India (42), Sweden (90), and Thailand (91).

Blue Peter presenter Skelton collected 54 worms with the help of schoolchildren which included Lewis Almond, aged 8, from Monks Coppenhall Primary School, Crewe.

Lewis said: “I hope I’m on TV. It was very hard work. I caught three worms. It was brilliant to meet Helen.”

Helen stayed behind after the competition to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

The footage is due to be broadcast on Blue Peter on the CBBC channel this Thursday June 27 at 5.30pm.

Events in the arena and playground area included a performance by the Willaston School Percussion Band, dancing by the X Academy of Performing Arts, singing by the Funky Choir and the Willaston School Junior Choir and gymnastics from the Wingate Centre.

The arena and adjacent areas were surrounded by charity stalls, an inflatable slide and food and drink outlets.

(All pictures by Jonathan White)