Abingdon-on-Thames’ Bun Throwing to get ‘Man Lab’ assistance!

New method of launching buns to be unveiled at upcoming Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames

The next Bun Throwing in Abingdon-on-Thames will see another ‘first’ as James May from the BBC TV show James May’s Man Lab will be taking part in an attempt to help launch the buns to the people at the back of the crowd that will be gathering in the market place.

The team from the Man Lab will be building some sort of contraption and will be up on the roof of the old County Hall along with the Mayor, dignitaries and the two winners of the inaugural World Bun Throwing Championships.

You can read the latest news story about the Abingdon Bun Throwing on the Oxford Mail website at “Bun throwers enlist help of TV star”

Since I’ve been a catcher at the Bun Throwing events I’ve seen the throwers use an assortment of different sports rackets to get the buns to as many of the crowd as possible. Some catchers also employ upturned umbrellas to increase their chances of nabbing a prized currant bun!

The Bun Throwing for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will see 6,000 buns thrown – the largest number of buns thrown at the event since 1761. The next event will also be the first since the town was officially re-named Abingdon-on-Thames.

Abingdon-on-Thames Events in April 2012 - Slideshow from the Abingdon Blog

Review of the month's events in Abingdon-on-Thames

The brilliant Abingdon Blog has put together a slideshow of events in Abingdon-on-Thames during during April 2012.

The first-ever World Bun Throwing Championships were held in the town on the 14th of April and photos from the event are included in the slideshow. You can also see me launching a bun in the video.

Links:
- Abingdon Blog
- Blog Post "A look back at Abingdon in April 2012"

Harwich Kichel Throwing

As a fan of unique customs, traditions and strange games I read with interest about the annual event of ‘Harwich Kichel Throwing’ that is held in Harwich, Essex on the third Thursday of May.

The tradition has some similarities to the Bun Throwing ceremonies that take place in Abingdon-on-Thames.

As part of the yearly Mayor Making ceremony the newly elected Mayor of Harwich throws small spiced fruit buns called ‘Kichels’ from the window of the Guildhall to the crowd of children below.

The event began a couple of hundred years ago and prior to 1949 the event of ‘Mayor’s Day’ took place on the 21st of December each year. This year the Harwich Kichel Throwing will be taking place on Thursday 17th of May.

To read more about the custom of Harwich Kichel Throwing check out the following links:
- Harwich Town Diary
- Calendar Customs