A face they never tire of trying to beat...
Last updated 12:37, Friday, 26 September 2008
EGREMONT'S ancient crab fair enjoyed not only an Indian Summer weather wise but also one of its most enjoyable events, both for the afternoon sports at Baybarrow and the evening entertainment, but some things never change: Tommy Mattinson won the world gurning championships for the 11th time to take his place in the Guinness Book Of Records.
The Aspatria glazier has long been known as the face of Egremont Crab Fair.
Hundreds of people packed into Egremont Market Hall on Saturday night to see Tommy earn his place in history. He defeated 15 other contenders with his show-stealing expressions.
The 41-year-old sealed victory with eye-watering gurns performed to Wham’s I’m Your Man.
Tommy said: “I am really happy, chuffed to bits. I have broken all of the records. It is unbelievable. I am just so happy. I never expected to win, I just didn’t feel as though I would.”
Gurning is a Mattinson family tradition. Tommy’s father, Gordon, is also a former world gurning champion,
Second in the gurning was Alan ‘Happy’ Hornell from Egremont, followed by Gordon Blacklock.
Earlier on Saturday, Egremont’s Anne Woods again proved a popular winner of the ladies gurning competition.
The 60-year-old has been gurning for 31 years and has won the title 20 times. Anne said this year’s was extra special because her grandson is studying away at college and she told him she would win it for him.
Dominic McDowell won the junior competition.
The gurning competition’s five judges included Copeland’s mayor and mayoress, Keith and Freda Hitchen; Copeland Council chief executive Liam Murphy and members of Egremont Rotary Club. Mr Hitchen said of Tommy’s win: “That man can do things with his face that I haven’t seen anyone else do.”
“The other guys are good, but he is great and anybody who can entertain the Queen and the whole of Egremont Crab Fair is fantastic.”
This year’s fair courted national television coverage with Cumbrian-born Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton in town to film for the legendary BBC children’s programme.
Earlier in the day the streets were lined with people, as Crab Fair Queen Rhianne Downton, 12, of Ashley Way, took her place on the Apple Cart for the traditional Main Street parade.
This was followed by dog shows, wrestling, motorbike stunt shows and horse riding on the Baybarrow show field. One of the event organisers, Callum Scott, thought it was the best Crab Fair that ever. “The field was jam-packed and so was the street – it has been great.
“There were lots of people in the street for the apple cart. It was the best it has ever been.”
One of the most successful competitors was also one of the youngest, 12-year-old Lee Rogers. The West Lakes academy pupil collected five medals, two rosettes, and a trophy as runner up in the junior gurning. Lee was also successful in the running and cycling events. “He took part in just about everything he could,” except the pipe smoking,” said his dad.
Evening events manager, Daniel Shutt, added: “This is definitely the best year ever. The crowd worked well.”
The weather even played its part, with bright sunshine gracing the street and field events earlier in the day. Egremont Crab Fair and Sports was established in 1267, making it one of the oldest fairs in the world.
