Worm Fest Rules
The 16 Rules of Worm Charming
- Each competitor to operate in a 2 x 2 metre plot.
- Duration of competition to be 30 minutes, starting at about 1.30pm.
- Teams of four with no more than 2 on a plot at any one time.
- Worms may not be dug from the ground. Vibrations only to be used.
- No drugs to be used! Water and washing up liquid are considered to be a drug/stimulant.
- Any form of music may be used to charm the worms out of the earth.
- A garden fork of normal type may be stuck into the ground and vibrated by any manual means to encourage worms to the surface.
- Garden forks to be suitably covered to prevent possible injury when being transported to and from the competition. No accidents please!
- Each competitor to leave his/her fork in allocated plot on arrival.
- A piece of wood, smooth or notched may be used to strike or 'fiddle' the handle of the garden fork to assist vibration.
- Each competitor may collect worms from his/her own plot only.
- Worms to be handled carefully and collected in damp peat and placed in a suitable, named container provided by the organising committee.
- Competitors to keep clear of competition plots until given the instruction "Get to your Plots".
- The competitor who 'charms' the most worms to be the winner.
- In the event of a tie, the winner to be decided by a further five minutes charming.
- Charmed worms to be released after the birds have gone to roost on the evening of the event.