Bury's association with black pudding runs deep into the town's culinary heritage. The traditional dish, boiled and served with malt vinegar out of paper wrapping, has defined the town's gastronomic identity for generations.
The War of the Roses Reimagined
Local legend traces the origins of black pudding throwing to 1455. The story holds that warring factions from the House of Lancaster and the House of York, meeting at a battle in nearby Stubbins, exhausted their ammunition and resorted to throwing food at one another. Lancashire troops purportedly hurled black puddings whilst Yorkshire soldiers retaliated with Yorkshire puddings.
Whether historical fact or charming mythology, this tale of inter-county rivalry provides the foundation for one of Britain's most eccentric sporting events.
From Pub to International Stage
The modern competition emerged in 1988 when Stuart Graham and friends gathered at the Corner Pin pub in Stubbins. "We were in the pub one night and we thought, 'what can we do for charity?' and we came up with the idea, 'let's throw black puddings at Yorkshire puddings,'" Graham later recounted.
What began as a local fundraiser has evolved into an internationally recognised championship. When the Corner Pin closed and was converted to offices, Bury Council intervened to save the event, relocating it to Bridge Street in Ramsbottom outside The Oaks pub, formerly the Royal Oak.
The Rules of Engagement
The competition follows precise specifications. Contestants stand upon the Golden Grid, ceremonially piped down Bridge Street at the event's opening. Before them rises a 20-foot plinth topped with a stack of Yorkshire puddings.
Each competitor receives three black puddings, each weighing six ounces and swaddled in ladies' tights for aerodynamic consistency. The objective: dislodge as many Yorkshire puddings as possible using underarm throws. Organisers prefer the term "hurling" to "throwing," lending the proceedings an air of medieval dignity.
Entry requires a £1 charity donation. The champion receives £100; the junior winner claims £20.
Champions from Across the Globe
The championship has attracted competitors from remarkable distances. Winners have come from Australia, Turkey, and Wales, demonstrating the event's international draw. The 2022 competition featured entrants from Ukraine, Peru, Spain, Italy, Austria, South Africa, the USA, and Australia.
Recent English champions include Andrew Ferrier, who secured victories in 2018 and 2021; Tom Lowden in 2019; Stuart Hubbart in 2022, whose victory required a "lob-off" after a four-way tie at six puddings dislodged; Stu Pearson in 2023; Harry Ogden in 2024; and Ged Flanagan in 2025.
The record stands at seven Yorkshire puddings toppled, achieved by John Burns of Edenfield in 2004. Burns donated his £100 prize to the Stubbins Community Trust, which originally revived the competition in 1984.
Community and Charity
The championship serves as a significant community gathering. Thousands of spectators attend annually, crowding Bridge Street to witness the spectacle. The event raises substantial funds for local causes, with participants and spectators contributing throughout the day.
"Everybody's here. Everybody will be eating and drinking. Loads of money going into the competition which all goes to charity," Graham noted in 2022, aged 77 and still attending the event he helped create.
The festivities extend into the evening with Pudfest, featuring live music performed in Memories Courtyard behind The Oaks pub.
Bury's Black Pudding Legacy
The championship exists within a broader context of Bury's black pudding prominence. The Bury Black Pudding Company, owned by the Chadwick family, supplies the delicacy to retailers including Harrods and major supermarkets. Local butchers have claimed production histories dating to 1810, particularly after Stornoway black pudding received Protected Geographical Indicator status.
Bury Market, whose licence dates to 1444, receives over 1,000 coachloads of visitors annually and was voted Best British Market of the Year in 2006 by the National Association of British Market Authorities. Black pudding stalls remain central attractions.
An Enduring Tradition
Held annually on the second Sunday of September, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships continue to draw competitors and spectators to Ramsbottom. The event represents a peculiarly British combination of historical reference, charitable purpose, community celebration, and gentle absurdity.
For Bury, it provides another dimension to the town's identity, transforming a local foodstuff into the centrepiece of a globally recognised sporting competition.