Windsor conkers help save world championships in Southwick

A donation of “large playing conkers” from Windsor Castle has helped ensure this year’s world championships will take place, organisers have confirmed.

There were fears the tournament, held every October in Northamptonshire, was at risk after the hot, dry summer caused conkers to fall early.

But, in a statement on social media, a spokesperson said the championship committee had been “greatly heartened” by help “from across the country and abroad”.

“Conkers have been received from Italy and France as well as multiple UK sites, including an official donation from Windsor Castle,” they added.

The 2024 World Conker Championships was rocked by allegations of cheating.

Men’s winner David Jakins, 82, known as King Conker, found himself at the centre of national headlines when the Telegraph reported claims he cheated by swapping his real conker for a metal one.

Mr Jakins, a conker competitor since 1977, denied it, and said he kept a steel conker on him for “humour value”.

He kept his title after the World Conker Championships confirmed nothing “untoward” was seen by judges or umpires.

The coverage helped boost publicity, and a spokesperson said a “ridiculous” number of entrants were due to take part in this year’s event on 12 October at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, near Oundle.

They said Mr Jakins would be “bringing his steel conker for [visitors] to have a look at, although it will be kept safely out of his reach”.

With all the donations, worries about a shortage of conkers have been replaced by “an issue of storage”, the tournament said.