The Egremont Crab Fair and World Gurning Championships delivered despite a yellow weather warning as hundreds of people from around the country and the world descended on the West Cumbrian town.

Dating back to 1267 the fair is in it’s 758th year and is one of the oldest fairs in the world.

Starting on Friday, September 19, Dancing in the Street kicked the festivities off in style as Stella the Fella, Sam Davidson, The Mustangz Trio, Mandi Leonard, Razzamataz, Superfly, Us 2 and Jesscia Stretton all performing as the rain fell on the determined spectators.

Despite the weather the wheelbarrow race made it back to back appearances as Egremont’s pubs got involved manning the stops along the route from Calderwood House to the War Memorial.

One of the fairs more unique events is Pipe Smoking, where competitors try and smoke a clay pipe the fastest.

Prayers must have been answered as Saturday, September 20, opened with dry weather as the Blessing of the Fair started the day off before the sporting action started with the Main Street becoming a running track.

Another of the traditional events is the Riding of the Boundary by Wyndham Pony Club with horse riders and carts of all ages ride around the boundary of the town in fancy dress if they wish too.

Then one of the main events of the fair, the Apple Cart, this is where the crowd has to duck, dodge or catch apples as they are tossed from ABC Scaffolding’s wagon.

This past time is thought to have developed from Lord Egremont passing out apples as alms for the poor and has since become one of the spectacular talking points of the Crab Fair.

While all this was happening on the Main Street the activities on the Fair Field were building as the Horticulture, Handicraft and Produce and Dog Showing, Pigeon Fancying and much more were all on.

Returning for this year the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling brought the 14 stone World Championship with Jack Brown taking the title.

It then came down to the main events of the Crab Fair, for some this is the World Gurning Championships and others Crabfest.

A modern addition to the Fair, Crabfest brings music to the field going late into the night.

This year the acts were a Cumbrian musical who’s who as Jolan, Jameson, Chelsea Reynolds, Sneaky Finch, Harrison Miles, AKA Skafell and The Jam-shed joining a retiring DJ Ratman.

In the Market Hall the build up to the World Championships started with Junior Talent contest.

With three entry’s Ollie took first place with Dylan and Joshua in second and third.

The Horn Blowing was split into two competitions by the Judges as Neil Brady took first with another masterclass while James from Sheffield came second in the newly formed Adult Horn Blowing.

Neil Brady again brought the sounds of the hunting packs with his heartbreaking song of a faithful aged hound looking back on his career.

While Shauna Tate brought a cheerful self penned tale of her tragic exploits on two wheels travelling between home and work.

Then the World Gunrning Championships began with the Junior championship and proving it is a competition of all ages 4 year old Isla took to the stage.

Reigning champion Kendall Lister is still the face to beat as she claimed her third title with Grace and Bobby Donald in second and third.

Whitehaven Theatre Group brought the panto fun to the proceedings as Twanky introduced Bobby Donald and Amy Morton as they promoted their Christmas panto, Aladdin (December 6-11).

In the Women’s Gurning there was dethroning as eight time winner Clare Lister came second as new dancing gurning champion Lynn Kelly took the crown with a gurn reminiscent of the legendary Ann Woods, with Caroline taking third place.

In the men’s competition 19 time winner Tommy Mattinson was missing due to ill health with the Crab Fair committee wishing him a speedy recovery.

This means there is a new champion for 2025, Adrian ‘from Coventry’ Zivelonghi and Mark from Salford took a joint third place.

Brian from Bolton claimed second with four time Junior champion Ryan Barton taking the World Championship for the first time.

Ryan dedicated his win to his uncle, Peter Jackman, who is another Gurning legend.

Peter passed a few years back, but his memory lives on with Egremont Rangers and Hensingham rugby league clubs competing for the Peter Jackson Memorial Trophy and now with Ryan’s win.

Chairman of the Crab Fair, Callum Scott said: “We started planning and organising last October it takes 10 months to organise and plan. We were hoping for good weather.

“However has the week went on a yellow weather warning for rain came in and the committee were hoping it would pass and we would be blessed with a dry day however we had record breaking rain fall and the committee were disheartened, however the crowds still came out and supported us and everything ran as it should off.

“Gate money and beer tent sales are well down. Which means the committee will have to do alot of fundraising for next year’s event.

“A big thank you to everyone that supported us it’s much appreciated.”

The Crab Fair committee will take a short break before starting to plan 2026 with new members welcome.

You can head to the Crab Fair website here or follow them on social media here to see how you can get involved.