International Festival of Wormcharming

Wormcharming 2020 … cancelled!

In keeping with the current need for social distancing, Wormcharming 2020 has regrettably been cancelled and it looks like we’ll have to wait until 2021 before we host the 36th Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming.

Further information regarding the 36th Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming will be published here, on our website and on our Facebook page in due course.

Origin & history

Blackawton’s Wormcharming heritage started back in 1983 when Dave Kelland and a mate of his had been imbibing ale in The Normandy Arms on a wet and miserable Sunday afternoon. On the way home, Dave needed to relieve himself and did so in a field and much to his surprise, worms started to come to surface. Having a fertile mind, Dave realised that there may some mileage in making his apparent ability to charm worms out of the ground a competitive event.

The first competition was held in 1984 and soon became a very important day in the village of Blackawton as it grew from strength to strength. Over the years many people from the parish became involved and provided the infrastructure to make it happen. In the early years, it was very much a “grown ups” event (judging by the pub’s takings!) although children were very welcome.