World record skittles attempt at the Devon County Show
Visitors to Devon County Show today and tomorrow (17-18 May) can play their part in creating two brand new world records. And it's all down to the good old pub game of skittles.
The records up for grabs are for the most skittles to be knocked down in eight hours, which will, be taking place today. And then tomorrow, there will be an attempt to create an unbeatable record for the most people to complete a skittles throw in eight hours. Guinness World Records suggest the number to beat is 200 people participating in one skittles turn (three balls per turn). And because skittles is associated with pubs, you'll find the new 'Westpoint alley' where else but in the Contented Cow - also known as the Ales from Devon feature!
Guinness World Records currently only have one skittles record on their books, for the longest continuous game of skittles. So they will watching closely to see how the numbers stack up on these brand new targets.
“It's a fantastic opportunity for Devon County Show visitors to play their part in skittles history,” said Rachel Bourke, joint managing director of the Shoot Out Club who are organising the event. “Skittles is a great game for everyone. So long as you can hurl a ball down an alley, you could become an expert. And at the Devon County Show, you have the chance to be a record breaker. You can even enjoy glass of Skittlin' beer, specially made by Red Rock Brewery to celebrate your score.”
The Shoot Out Club, based in Torquay, are the unofficial national skittles organisation for the UK, organising the Blackthorn British Skittles Championships (now in its tenth year). In addition they're about to celebrate 20 years of staging up to 50 competitions per year for skittlers from all over the UK.
Skittles has a fascinating history. Earliest records suggest it was played as long ago as 3,300 BC in Egypt and by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. How it came to Britain is shrouded in mystery but early literatures suggests it was played with different coloured pins in the Royal Court. Today, it's played all over the south west, Wales and the Midlands but with regional variations in the size and weight of the pins and balls.
Devon currently boasts some of the most successful teams in the UK with Totnes team the Lucky Devils claiming the Blackthorn British mixed title last year. Teams from Totnes and South Devon were runners up in the men's, women's and mixed events, representing the best result Devon has had in competition's history to date.
All skittlers will have an opportunity to make a donation to charity. Money raised will go to Dream-a-Way, the south west based charity that provides holidays and outings for disabled and seriously ill people of all ages.
Picture: Courtesy of Shootout
