Tag Archives: british humour

Fingernail Contest

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions 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 earthContinue reading “Fingernail Contest”

Thimble Throwing

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions In the mills of Lancashire, sewing fabric together with a thread from each new bale of cotton from North America was very important. In this way, the owners could determine how strong the cotton was and so they employed professional sewers for this reason. The sewersContinue reading “Thimble Throwing”

Kite Racing

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions Kites have been popular in Suffolk since their introduction into England in the 19th Century. In 1873, Oliver Holmes was flying his kite near Aldeburgh when the wind started to blow really hard – Oliver had difficulty holding on to his kite and thought that runningContinue reading “Kite Racing”

Pea Shooting

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions In the Middle Ages not everyone could afford a bow and arrow, so some poorer families became proficient with a pea shooter for self-defence. As Arnold de Boycott said in 1562, “appen peas are cheaper than arrows and are easier to returne – some arrows getteContinue reading “Pea Shooting”

Hairy Legs

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions When people were painting the town red in Melton in the 15th Century some of the locals started to compare various parts of their bodies with those of other people. Eventually, the comparisons turned to the hairiness of the legs and it was noticed that aContinue reading “Hairy Legs”

Pipe Cleaner Festival

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions Throughout the centuries the hobby of smoking a pipe has steadily declined. However, the usage for pipe cleaners has increased, largely because of the Kirby Muxloe Pipe Cleaner Festival. A Pipe Cleaner is a strong metal wire covered in some material such as cotton, which canContinue reading “Pipe Cleaner Festival”

Arrow Catching

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions In days of old it was a huge honour to be chosen as captain of the line to lead the nation’s troops into battle. This honour was decided by firing an arrow into the air from a longbow – whoever caught the arrow upon its returnContinue reading “Arrow Catching”

The Pudsey Clog Festival

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions Clogs can be used in a surprising number of ways. The town of Pudsey has long been associated with the manufacture of clogs and it seems appropriate it is the host of the world famous Clog Festival. This festival has been in existence since 1613 andContinue reading “The Pudsey Clog Festival”

Marble Rolling

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions In Cumberland the ability to roll a marble an exact distance is highly prized. The climax of the marble rolling season is the Carlisle Round on the last weekend of August. The roads around the centre of the city are closed for a week before theContinue reading “Marble Rolling”