Village gears up for Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes on June 6th

The annual Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes rolls back into the village on Saturday June 6th.

It will be the 31st annual staging of the event in Wybunbury with organisers promising another lively day of entertainment for all ages.

Organised primarily by the Wybunbury Tower Preservation Trust, it will open at 1pm and centres around the famous Fig Pie Race — a tradition dating back more than 200 years.

Competitors will gather on Main Road outside The Swan Inn to roll their homemade fig pies down the hill in a bid to claim the coveted “Champion Pie-Roller” title for 2026.

The participant whose pie travels the furthest will lift the trophy and earn local bragging rights in one of Cheshire’s most unusual and entertaining contests.

Villagers still make their own fig pies using a unique traditional recipe which has been carefully preserved through generations.

Recipes, entry forms and ingredients are available from Wybunbury Post Office, costing £5 before the event or £6 on the day.

On the day, visitors can also enjoy tower tours, a grand raffle, live entertainment, craft stalls, steam engines, classic cars, outdoor bars and refreshments throughout the afternoon, with proceeds from several stalls supporting local charities and village groups.

The Wakes trace their origins back to the patronal festival of St Chad and were once a major village celebration lasting several days.

Historic records from 1819 describe races held over three days and even a “Smoaking Race” with tobacco as the prize.

Although the original celebrations faded away by the 1920s, the tradition was revived in 1995 after members of the Wybunbury Tower Preservation Trust uncovered old documents recounting the colourful — and sometimes rowdy — history of the Wakes.

The revival proved hugely popular, helped by the village’s oldest resident at the time, who could still remember the original Fig Pie Wakes and shared the treasured pie recipe used today.

Sponsors supporting this year’s event include Massey Feeds, T-T Pumps, Splash Of Paint, Davies Osteopaths and Cheshire Lamont.

Further information can be found via the event Facebook page Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wybunburyfigpie