The World Conker Championships committee met yesterday and, following extensive analysis of the size
and number of available conkers across Britain and Europe, have concluded that there are a sufficient
number of large playing conkers for the event to take place. The Championship committee were greatly
heartened by the number of offers of help coming from across the country and abroad. Due to the recent
rain, it looks as if there will be sufficient fresh conkers to collect immediately prior to the Championships. The World Conker Championships are now in a position to state that this year’s competition will definitely go ahead.
King Conker will be sending his (in)famous steel conker for you to have a look at, which will be kept safely out of reach – we don’t want any repeat of 2024’s events. Chair(man) Jim Packer said ‘We were concerned that, whilst there are plenty of conkers, they would be small and very difficult to play with. We need the larger, playing-quality conkers which have a circumference of around 4 1⁄2 to 5 inches (12 to 13 cm) and
I’m pleased to say there appear to be plenty available, despite the weather we’ve been having. We have
been surprised by the number and quality of conkers still on the trees, after the extreme weather we have had during the year. This means the tournament will definitely go ahead.’
Whilst it is possible to store conkers, this often makes them softer or harder, and affects their playing
quality. Therefore, fresh ones are needed. The World Conker Championships are particularly pleased with
the offers of help from Ireland (Eire and NI) who have some lovely conkers this year; and to Kirby Hall in Northants, and @edmundthekirbyhallpeacock who has been encouraging visitors to gather conkers there for us to collect. Last year Windsor Castle PR department saved the day – this year it could be a peacock!
This year’s event has been massively oversubscribed. Entries for the 2027 Championships open on the
website on Monday 12th October.
