THE annual Wellington Prep School Conker Championships smashed into action last Friday when a hoard of excited pupils pitted their skills against each other.
A total of 80 children in Years 3, 4 5 and 6 competed for the coveted Conker Bear Trophy, which was carried off by a triumphant Jake Smith from Year 5.
Headmaster Adam Gibson said: "Sadly, the game of conkers has declined in school playgrounds over the last 20 years, mainly due to rumoured ‘Health and Safety’ issues.
“Such information is nonsense and we are determined to redress the balance and encourage our children to engage in competitive playground activity and traditional outdoor entertainment."
The rules of the challenge are clearly laid out, and adapted from the International Rules and Regulations - they include such details as the maximum allowed length of string, and time allowed in each round and the dreaded ‘sudden death’.
In the name of fair play, competitors are discouraged from soaking the conkers in vinegar or the old slow-bake trick.
Mr Gibson added: “The children rose to the challenge and enjoyed the competition immensely.
"We encourage them to take risks and the game of conkers is a great opportunity for this. We look forward to seeing Jake defending his title next year.”
Parents and pupils were then treated to a clash of the titans competition between the headmasters of the prep school and senior school head Henry Price.
Last year saw an early clear victory for Mr Gibson, but this year Mr Price fought back in true gladiatorial style to achieve a spectacular triumph - next year will be a tense contest.
CONKERS BONKERS.
*The Health and Safety Executive says it's a myth that kids must wear goggles to play conkers.
*Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that is a discipline issue, not health and safety.
*Britain is believed to be the only country in the world where the game of conkers is traditionally played *The first recorded game of conkers was on the Isle of Wight in 1848.
*The origin of the name ‘conker’ is unclear, but is believed to stem from the French word cogner, meaning to ‘hit’ or ‘biff’.
*On finding your first conker of the season, you should say: “Oddly, oddly onker, my first conker'” to ensure good fortune and few tangles throughout the championships.
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