The Worcestershire pub making plans to keep the name Nigel

A pub has been making plans to keep the name Nigel as it held its annual celebration of the name.

Hundreds of verified Nigels signed in to the Fleece Inn in Bretforton, Worcestershire, for Nigel Night V3.

Landlord Nigel Smith set up the event when it was revealed no babies were given the name in 2016 or 2020.

He said previous events were “so joyous” the pub wanted to do it again although he did concede it was mostly attended by men of a certain age. “People said the Nigel was a dying breed,” he added. “They were wrong. Nigel Night has become a cultural phenomenon.”

His first “Nigel Night” was held in 2019, when 432 Nigels, from seven months old to 80 gathered, and in 2022, 372 joined the celebration.

People had travelled from the US and Australia for the event.

“It is a very British name, at least in English-speaking countries, so there are a lot of people in the UK that are called Nigel, but also across the world – Canada, the States, Australia, all over the place,” he said.

The evening included the “Nigel awards”, with categories including the youngest Nigel, the oldest Nigel and the furthest-travelled Nigel.

Entertainment included a Nigel DJ, a Nigel comedian, songs by famous Nigels, a pub quiz and Nigel competition, a Nigel pets parade and a Nigel bagpiper.

There were also Nigel T-shirts, badges, stickers and certificates, and the landlord said people not called Nigel could have a “not-Nigel badge”.

Non-Nigels and Nigellas were also welcome.