Search on for Egremont Crab Fair gurning braffin ahead of 2023 return

The hunt is on for the Egremont Crab Fair’s gurning ‘braffin’, a unique piece of Cumbrian folk history, which is used annually in the fair as part of the internationally famous gurning competition.

Chairman of Crab Fair Callum Scott said that the braffin was lent out three years ago during covid and has since gone missing, however the chairman is confident that the historic item will be found in time for this year’s crab fair return.

The braffin is an item regularly lent out to different school and social groups as an educational piece on the historic West Cumbrian tradition.

Talking about the importance of the traditional collar to the fair, Mr Scott said: “Obviously the braffin is synonymous with the gurning and that braffin we use is about 200 years old.”

The committee are appealing for anyone with knowledge of its whereabouts to come forward before the fair in September.

This week also marked a month until the much-loved event returns after a four-year hiatus due to coronavirus.

Organisers have said that the event which will return to Egremont on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 will include all the ancient traditions of the event, with a few new fresh ideas.

Organisers have added an extra date to this year’s schedule on Sunday, September 17 with a ‘Dancing in the field’ event held on the Crab Fair field.

There will also be events running in the week before the main fair.

Talking about the fairs return, the Chairman said: “When it was cancelled last year there was huge disappointment.

“I have rebuilt the committee we have about 15 new members with fresh ideas.

“We have all the traditions this year plus the newly established crab fest and new this year will be dancing in the field.”

If any member of the public has any information on the whereabouts of the braffin, they are asked to contact Crab Fair committee chairman Callum Scott on Callumscott1989@gmail.com.