By Press Release
By Mal Butler
IW Observer gardening expert, Darren Everest, came, saw and conkered to become ‘Island Champion’ at the Sun Inn, Calbourne.
The competition has been running for more than 10 years and pub landlady, Katie Goldson, said: “It first started to raise money to buy a van for one of our locals, who had been badly injured in an accident, and the competition has continued ever since, apart from lockdown.
“This year we had around 40 entries in a knock-out format, but we have to try and keep to a certain limit to give everyone a chance to play.
“All the first-round losers then take part in a ‘comedy conkers’ competition which involves picking out a disguised conker which could be a brussel sprout, small potato or a ping pong ball filled with tomato sauce! It’s all good fun.”
Darren said: “After making my way to the final, I was up against a young lad called Leo, it was David versus Goliath.
“The crowd were certainly keen to see this mere child defeat an old fella. I would have been more than happy to see him victorious but I still wanted to make sure he earned it! However, soon into the battle his conker showed visible signs of distress against my lovely new fresh one which I was allowed to choose.
“With the sound of Rocky being played in the background, the tension began to build, strike after strike being blown, but despite the intense effort and concentration and with his bedtime already past, alas it wasn’t to be as his conker finally spilt beyond repair and I was champion!”
Katie added: “I suppose if we are the only place holding a conker competition, then Darren is Island Champion!
“But I would like to give a big thank you to Peter Bartlett, who organised the competition, he collects all the conkers, then drills and strings them, so everyone has a fair chance.”
The comedy conker title was won by Bob Nelson, while the evening raised £300 through a raffle and entrance fees for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
