The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships in Bury will go ahead on Sunday, organisers have confirmed. The country has entered a 10-day period of national mourning following the death of The Queen on Thursday.
A number of both national and local events planned for this weekend have been cancelled as a result. Government guidance issued this morning Friday said there was "no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period" at that it was at the discretion of the individual organisations.
And, those behind the annual charity event in Ramsbottom, say they have decided to hold the quirky contest as planned.
READ MORE: The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships is back for 2022 - here's everything you need to know
One of the organsiers of the event, Phil Taylor, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's a charity event and we raise money for a of local good causes.
"It's also one where people come together and there's a sense of community as there's kind of a 'village fete' around it as well.
"Due respect will be paid. We will be having a minute's silence before it starts and letting people know there is a book of condolence at St Paul's Church if they want to sign it.
"We also have a responsibility - we have got people coming from all over the country, from Birmingham, Lincolnshire, who have booked hotels and things like that so we it wouldn't have been fair to cancel at such short notice.
"Things will start to get back to normal soon so I just think we need to carry on."
The unique event sees competitors young and old hurl black puddings at a dozen Yorkshire puddings piled on a plinth up a 20ft-high tower to see who can knock the most down. Only underarms 'lobbing' throws are allowed.
Video from last year's event
It's said that the tradition dates back to the War of Roses when warring factions of the House of Lancaster and House of York are said to have used up all their ammunition and resorted to throwing food at each other.
Revived in 1839, and later in the 1980s by the Stubbins Community Trust, it has become a much-loved custom in the town since, drawing in spectators from all over.
The event, which usually takes place on the second Sunday of September, was originally held outside the Corner Pin pub in Stubbins but now takes place at The Oaks pub on Bridge Street in Ramsbottom.
Starting at 11am and run until 4pm, in the Memories Courtyard to the rear of the pub, there will be a number of musical acts taking to the stage including Cotton Panic Blues and Ramsbottom DJs Mart & Baz.
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