|
Grasmere Sports & Show (Cumberland Wrestling)
Grasmere Sports & Show (Cumberland Wrestling), Show Field, Stock Lane, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SL.
Cumberland sausages have a long tradition dating back to the 1700s when Whitehaven was a major port and introduced exotic spices and flavours such as black pepper, nutmeg and ginger to the region. Two factions existed in the sausage market at the time, the traditional farmers who reared the pigs, and the immigrant German miners who simply loved the sausage. The farmers believed that the Cumberland sausage should be curled to represent the tail of their beloved pigs while the Germans felt that it was their bratwurst-scoffing influence that led to the sausage being curled in what they described as the traditional and efficient German manner. What had begun as mere friendly banter rapidly escalated into open warfare with street brawls and gangs of farmers ambushing the Germans as they left the mines at the end of the day. Mass fights were also organised which pitched pick axes against pitch forks, Germany against England, thousands of people lost their lives.
Fearing the problem of the dwindling population in Cumbria, the Hanoverian monarchy attempted to quell the violence erupting between their two people. Being German but ruling England, they knew they could not be seen to be taking sides so they proposed a more ordered battle and Cumberland Wrestling was created so that the two factions could knock seven shades of sausage out of each other without the bloodshed.
The Cumbrians engage in Cumberland Wrestling to this day and it now forms part of the larger Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show which, as well as the wrestling, offers dog & bird shows, various races, paragliding, trade stands and music among other things. It is now in its 154th year and this year needs your support more than ever. If you fancy something different this Bank Holiday, want to see a dying English tradition, and even find out the actual origins of the sport rather than our speculative version, head to the Lake District to indulge in the eccentricity of it all.
|
Opening Times:
Opening
times listed were correct at the time of entry but should be checked before
departure.
|
|
Facilities:
| |
Parking on Site
Refreshments
Shop(s) & trade stalls
|
|
|
Admission/Prices:
| |
Adult £7.50
Child £2.50 5-14 years
|
Prices listed were correct at the time of entry but should
be checked before departure.
|
|
|