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World Nettle Eating Championships in Dorset

Event: World Nettle Eating Championships in Dorset
Date: June 21st 2008

When in Rome do as the Romans do is a phrase that springs to mind in regards to the World Nettle Eating Championships, which are taking place in Dorset this year.

If you are staying at luxury Dorset hotel the Summer Lodge on June 21st and have both a strong stomach and a non-sensitive tongue, travel to the village of Marshwood, where locals have gathered for the festival annually for the last 22 years.

The origins of the festival date back to a pub argument in 1986 pertaining to the lengths of two farmers' nettles. This prompted a Longest Nettle competition which morphed into the Nettle Eating Championships after one farmer vowed to eat any nettle longer than his own.

Competitors travel from all over the world to this championship event now to eat their way through large quantities of stinging nettles to be crowned the winner.

The World Nettle Eating Championships, which now attracts competitors from as far afield as Australia and competitors can learn about the non-stinging properties of the nettle, which is a good source of iron, and its culinary uses.

The BBC notes that entrants cannot use mouth-numbing substances prior to the event, but are allowed the odd swig of ale to help make the experience more palatable.

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