UNITED KINGDOM: 10th World Stinging Nettle Eating Championships held in Dorset

In it's 10th year, the World Stinging Nettle Eating Competition drew hundreds of spectators and a few strong stomachs to compete for this year's title in the tiny English village of Marshwood in Dorset. The competition started as a contest comparing the longest nettles. One year, competitor Alex Williams was so confident of his entry that he said he'd eat his nettle if anyone could produce one that was longer to beat his. Somebody did, and the nettle eating competition was born. The nettles used in the contest still have plenty of bite, as they are picked fresh before the competition - one of the many requirements that make up the rules of the event. "Well basically, all nettles must be type Urtica Dioica - the common stinging nettle - um, the nettles must supplied by the pub," explained the competition's founder, Bottle Inn landlord Shane Pym. "You can't bring your own, we've had people try slipping dead nettles in and all sorts, you wouldn't believe the lengths some people go to." The rule are strictly enforced by former nettle eating World Champion and competition judge Tim Beer, who sees both the serious and fun side of the competition. "I think it's fantastic," he said. "It is British you know? Nobody else would be mad enough to try it." 53 competitors spent an hour munching and swallowing as many nettle leaves as they could before the judges measured out the remaining stalks. The women's title went to 31-year old school teacher, Jo Carter, who also set a new record for the division of 34 feet. 42-year old plant operator Samuel Ennis took the men's title. Despite wolfing down 53 feet of nettles, the new title holder wouldn't recommend the plant. "It's disgusting, just really really tough work. It's sore on your jaw, sore on your fingers, it's just a disgusting taste. Anybody says it's a nice taste is mad, it's disgusting," he said after the competition. Stinging nettles are found all over the world and have been used as folk remedies for a variety of ailments. A quirky story.

ITN Source | June 23, 2006

Tags:. .championships. .basically. .tough. .champion. .anyone