Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming

Blackawton in Devon is the home of the International Festival of Wormcharming, held each year on the Sunday of the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.  The event begins in the village at Normandy Cross, where entrants must register at Worm HQ (the village bus shelter for the remaining 364 days of the year) by noon. After registration is complete the there’s a procession from the George Inn where the Worm song  and a Toast to the Worms take place before proceeding to the Secret Field for the contest. Teams of wormcharmers must comprise 3 contestants : a Charmerer, a Pickerer and a Counterer,and they must gather as many worms as possible from a metre-square plot in 15 minutes. Worming Up is a 5-minute preamble for the competitors to encourage the worms to join in; no digging, forking or noxious substances are allowed and the Worm Master’s decision is final. There’s also a dog show, fancy dress, live music, other fun events and plenty of food & drink – so expect a full day out!

Helpful Hints

In 2025 it should be on Sunday 3rd May.

It was moved to the other end of the month for 2018, but returned to May Day Bank Holiday weekend at the start of May for 2019.

Click here for the official new page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091652949146

Click here for the event website : http://www.wormcharming.co.uk/index.html

Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wormcharmingblackawton/