World Gravy Wrestling Championships get a new home

The annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships has a new home after organisers said the event's popularity meant it had outgrown its current venue.

The charity event, which has been running since 2007, is moving from the Rose 'N' Bowl Pub in Stacksteads, Rossendale, Lancashire, to Bacup Cricket Club.

The increasing popularity of the event meant organisers invited bigger venues to apply to host it on 31 August.

Wrestlers wear fancy dress to grapple in a pool full of gravy in two-minute bouts, with judges awarding points on entertainment value, as well as the wrestling.

"Finding the right home was really important to us," organisers said, adding they opted for Bacup Cricket Club as it was close to the original venue, for its facilities, its access to public transport as well as its experience holding similar-sized events.

They added: "We'd like to sincerely thank the the Rose 'N' Bowl for all of the hard work put in every time and the many memorable championships held there over the years.

"It will always be a special part of the Gravy Wrestling's story but, at long last, the bowling green is finally safe from all that gravy."

Organisers said they had run the event to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice and to provide a fun family day out in Rossendale.

They added entries would open in the coming weeks for this year's event.

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