World Worm Charming Championships 2024

This Earthy Championships is an annual event that takes place in a quiet village in Cheshire, England. The rules are simple; Competitors are each allotted a 3 x 3 metre plot and given thirty minutes to charm the slimy creatures topside.
The World Worm Charming Championship was first devised by John Bailey who was the deputy headmaster of Willaston County Primary School, Cheshire back in 1980.
The World record was set at the very first championship back in 1980 by Tom Shufflebotham who raised 511 worms.
Contestants cannot use drugs, or stimulants, or even entice the worms to the surface using water. The most successful method used so far is that of hand vibrating a four-tray garden fork inserted approximately 15 cm into the turf, now known locally in South Cheshire as 'twanging' but there is strictly no digging allowed!
After starter's orders, the Worm Charmers and their 'Gillies' (assistants) frantically ‘worked’ their plots. Techniques varied, with some using musical instruments including a drum, recorder and even a didgeridoo. The most common method was using a pitchfork along with various accompaniments to produce a vibration.
At the end of the thirty minutes, the pots were collected and counted. In the end, it was local woman Alex Godfrey who collected 195 worms.