Fingernail Contest in the New Forest – Part 1

It’s rumoured that the main reason that the Normans invaded England in 1066 was for the truffle-hunting in the New Forest. The locals didn’t need pigs to find truffles as they have always been possessed of fine long fingernails, which can quickly scrabble in the earth to find a truffle. Of course the truffles in the New Forest became extinct after overzealous hunting by the locals and the Norman invaders.

Although the truffles have gone the fine fingernails remain and are celebrated in the Fingernail contest in September held in Brockenhurst.

From 40 Humourous British Traditions