Wormcharming competition
In addition to the main competition, there is also a competition for the Under-11s.
Once all teams have found their 1-metre square plot everyone is allowed to begin "Worming Up". This is doing whatever you need to do to get the worms out of the ground without digging or forking. "Worming Up" lasts for 5 minutes after which the competition really gets underway - with all teams giving it their best to get as many worms charmed out of the ground as possible in 15 minutes allocated.
The rules of Wormcharming
- Each teams comprises 3 members - a Charmerer, a Pickerer and a Counterer.
- No digging or forking
- Teams allowed 5 minutes "Worming Up" and 15 minutes Worm Charming.
- The International Judge's decision is final.
- Any team or competitor caught cheating will be either put in the stocks (if they're lucky) or publicly humiliated.
Wormcharming officials
Competitons of all forms rely on officials to ensure fair play and worm charming is no exception. The Worm Master presides over the Festival. The Official Cheat tempts entrants by offering them worms so that they can cheat. Old Father Worm Charming offers advice and guidance to would be worm charmers - though just how much advice and guidance he's able to impart remains to be seem as we have a new incumbent this year. His predecessor had many years of worm charming experience and was the owner of the Normandy Arms during worm charming's inception. Finally, there's the International Judge who is the rule of law in all things to do with arbitration in worm charming disputes.
