THE annual Sampford Courtenay Conker Challenge, which normally takes place on the Village Green, had to be relocated to the Church Rooms this year because of torrential rain.

Junior champion Louie Evans with his Conker Man trophy
Junior champion Louie Evans with his Conker Man trophy (Marion Pratt)

Competitors of all ages turned up for the Challenge, which was started probably 20 years ago by a longstanding member of the parish, Charlie Goundry.

The late Charlie Goundry
The late Charlie Goundry, conker in hand (Marion Pratt)

Sadly we have lost both Charlie and his brother Ralph now, but Cllr Mike Carpenter has organised the Challenge in recent years with a trophy for the adult winner in memory of Charlie, plus Mike makes a “Conker Man” trophy for the junior champion.

Inclement weather forced the event inside the Church Rooms
Inclement weather forced the event inside the Church Rooms (Marion Pratt)

This year’s winners were Liz Moir from Exbourne and Louie Evans.

Conker battles underway in the Church Rooms
Conker battles underway (Marion Pratt)

The event raised £38 and the winners chose the charities - Children’s Hospice South West and Dementia UK.

During the event in the Church Rooms
Participants clad in wet weather gear braved torrential rain to get to the popular event (Marion Pratt)

Marion Pratt