Gurn

Gurning contests

Gurning contests are a rural English tradition. They are held regularly in some villages, with contestants traditionally framing their faces through a horse collar—known as "gurnin' through a braffin".

The World Gurning Championship takes place annually at the Egremont Crab Fair. The fair dates back to 1267, when King Henry III granted it a Royal Charter. The origins of the gurning competition itself are unclear, and it may not be so old, although it was described as an ancient tradition by local newspaper The Cumberland Paquet in 1852.

The most successful gurners are often those with no teeth. This provides greater room to move the jaw further up. In some cases, the elderly or otherwise toothless can perform gurns where their lower lip covers the nostrils. A notable example of this was performed by Jovante Carter, a 22-year-old American man from New Orleans. He held the gurn for 1 minute and 2 seconds, earning a Guinness World Record.

Peter Jackman became England's best-known gurner, winning the world championship four times, beginning in 1998 with a face called the "Bela Lugosi". He made numerous TV appearances, including an appearance on They Think It's All Over. He had his teeth removed in 2000 to make his features easier to manoeuvre.

The only male gurner to win the world title 15 times is Tommy Mattinson (UK), who took the top prize at the World Gurning Championship in 1986–87 and then 10 times between 1999 and 2010.

Anne Woods won the women's world title 28 times.

References

References

1. "About Gurning Sport".
2. Hillier, David. (August 25, 2016). "Why You Gurn When You Take MDMA".
3. (18 September 1999). "Ugly mugs gather at gurning contest". BBC News.
4. Brian Shuel. (1985). "Guide to Traditional Customs of Britain". National Trust.
5. (15 September 2001). "Gurners go for gold". BBC News.
6. "History". Egremont Crab Fair.
7. "Longest duration gurning with the lower lip covering the nostrils".
8. (12 October 2023). "Internet star sets bizarre world record for 'gurning': 'We turned up, we did our thing".
9. Andrea Thompson. (18 September 2003). "Gurn but not forgotten". News & Star.
10. Pearse, Will. (2018-05-02). "Inside the unusual sport of gurning".
11. (22 September 2013). "Tommy Mattinson retains Egremont Crab Fair gurning crown". BBC News.
12. Marcus Williamson. (2 April 2015). "Anne Woods: Winner of the women's world gurning title at the Egremont Crab Fair in Cumbria a record 28 times". The Independent.