Gurning contests are a rural English tradition. By far the most notable is that held annually at the Egremont Crab Fair, which dates back to 1267 when King Henry III granted the fair a Royal Charter.The origins of the gurning competition itself are unclear, and may not be so old, although it was described as an ancient tradition by local newspaper the Cumberland Paquet in 1852..The competitions are held regularly in some villages, with contestants traditionally framing their faces through a horse collar -- known as "gurnin' through a braffin'."The World Gurning Championship takes place annually at the same crab fair in Egremont, Cumbria. Those with the greatest gurn capabilities are often those with no teeth, as this provides greater room to move the jaw further up. In some cases, the elderly or otherwise toothless can be capable of spectacular gurns covering the entire nose.
Gurning contests are a rural English tradition. By far the most notable is that held annually at the Egremont Crab Fair, which dates back to 1267 when King Henry III granted the fair a Royal Charter.The origins of the gurning competition itself are unclear, and may not be so old, although it was described as an ancient tradition by local newspaper the Cumberland Paquet in 1852..The competitions are held regularly in some villages, with contestants traditionally framing their faces through a horse collar -- known as "gurnin' through a braffin'."The World Gurning Championship takes place annually at the same crab fair in Egremont, Cumbria. Those with the greatest gurn capabilities are often those with no teeth, as this provides greater room to move the jaw further up. In some cases, the elderly or otherwise toothless can be capable of spectacular gurns covering the entire nose.
Well I must say you're never to old to learn ! Thanks, Tom
Great pic Dragnet.
I always wondered what the horse collar was all about.
BTW. Gurning or "Girning" is also an Ulster Scots colloquialism for crying or wingeing eg. "Quit yer Gurnin' wee lad!"...it probably originates from screwing one's face up whilst crying.
Sat down with my first cup of tea and ive just had a chuckle from the two posted added by fellow members Petz and Grey, im glad its only found here in Britian, makes me sort of proud
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