When? Easter Monday, 9 April 2012. Where? Ossett, West Yorkshire. What? Participants carry 50kg (men) or 20kg (women) of coal over a mile-long uphill course. Why? Well, back in 1963, a local coal merchant and the president of the Maypole Committee were having a pint in a pub when a friend burst in and bet that he could race them with a bag of coal on their backs. And the rest, as they say, is history. The current world record, held by David Jones of Meltham, is 4 mins 6 secs. But will he hold onto it? We can't wait to find out. gawthorpe.ndo.co.uk
When? 1 June 2012. Where? Dover's Hill, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. What? The Olympicks feature well-known countryside games such as tug-of-war and obstacle races as well as a few stranger events - including shin-kicking. How? Two contestants hold one another’s arms and kick each other wearing steel toe-capped boots. The loser is the competitor that gives in first. Tell me more! 2012 marks the Olimpicks’ 400th anniversary, so expect some extra special celebrations this year. olimpickgames.co.uk
When? 4th June 2012. Where? Brockworth, Gloucestershire. What? Daredevils with a passion for cheese come from all over the world to hurl themselves down a perilously steep, grassy hill in pursuit of a 4kg Double Gloucester cheese. Why? The race dates back to medieval times when presumably there was nothing else to do. The winners take home the cheeses as well as a few cuts and bruises. cheese-rolling.co.uk
When? 24 June 2012. Where? Between Helpringham & Swaton, Lincolnshire. What? Contestants construct a "gravity-powered egg hurling device" to launch an egg to a waiting team member who must either catch it unbroken or get struck it. As the egg can be travelling at speeds of up to 120 mph this is particularly tricky and can be painful. Distances can be extended up to 150m in the knockout. eggthrowing.com
When? 14 July 2012. Where? Witcham, Cambridgeshire. What? This international event brings challengers from as far as New Zealand and the USA to compete for the trophy. How? Accuracy, not distance, is the aim of this competition, with contestants shooting a pea through a 12-inch tube, 12 feet towards a 12-inch target. Be warned: competition is fierce and laser-guided shooters for specialists are not uncommon. eastcambs.gov.uk
When? 25 August 2012. Where? Fenny Bentley, Ashbourne. What? Every August the Bentley Brook Inn in Derbyshire hosts the Ben & Jerry's World Toe Wrestling Championship. Why? The idea was conceived in 1976 in a pub (no surprises there). How? Competitors lock their big toes together and attempt to force their opponent’s foot to the ground. The organisers applied in 1997 for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. Unfortunately for big toe fans around the world, it was not accepted. bentleybrookinn.co.uk
When? 27 August 2012. Where? The Rose & Bowl Inn, Bacup, Rossendale. What? As part of the Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food and Culture, the gravy championships celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2012. Why? Why not? How? This saucy challenge involves teams sliding around in lukewarm gravy and attempting to wrestle one another to the ground. Tell me more! Best not to try this at home. worldgravywrestling.com
When? 9 September 2012. Where? Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire. Why? Lancashire is famous for the production of this regional delicacy - along with tripe (cow’s stomach) and elder (steamed cows’ udder) – and so is a fitting home for the black pudding throwing championships. How? The aim is to throw a black pudding that has been wrapped in a pair of ladies tights at a collection of Yorkshire puddings on a plinth 20 feet up a tower built in the middle of the main street in Ramsbottom. ramsbottomonline.com
When? 4 October 2012. Where? Ashton, near Oundle, Peterborough. What? More than 300 competitors attempt to become the King or Queen of Conkers. How? The rules are simple. Each player is given a conker attached to a piece of string and they take turns to swing their conker at their opponent’s and try to break it. Why? The tournament came about after a group of local friends had to cancel their annual fishing trip. Not to be deprived of fun, they organised a game of conkers instead. Brilliant! worldconkerchampionships.com
When? 21 February 2012 (Shrove Tuesday). Where? Olney, Buckinghamshire. What? The unique Olney Pancake Race is a real traffic-stopper. Once a year, energetic locals in "traditional housewife attire" run through the streets. Pancakes are tossed at the start of the race and the winner is required to toss her pancake again at the finish. Why? Not sure, but they've been doing it since 1445 so why stop now? Tell me more! In 1950, it became an international event between Olney and the town of Liberal, Kansas in the US. The the winner is declared after times are compared during a transatlantic telephone call. visitbuckinghamshire.org