Popular knob-throwing contest makes comeback

A popular knob-throwing contest is making a comeback after a five-year hiatus.

The Dorset Knob Throwing Games, where people compete to hurl the county's traditional biscuits the furthest, were last held in 2019.

The event, which started in Cattistock, attracted 8,000 people and organisers said it had "reached such a size that it cannot be run by a small village committee".

Contestants will finally get a chance to battle it out in 2024 as part of the Cattistock Countryside Show, held near Chilfrome on Sunday.

The Dorset Knob Throwing event began as a fundraiser for the village of Cattistock in 2008.

Locals needed to make some money to keep and upgrade their cricket club, football club, playing fields and village hall as well as replace sporting equipment.

So far, the event has raised more than £50,000 for the village.

The aim of the game is to throw the Dorset knob the furthest distance.

Contestants are allowed to launch three biscuits, with the furthest measured by an umpire.

Participants must only use the knobs provided by the event and each attempt must be thrown under-arm and from a marked standing point.

Following choking concerns, organisers decided not to hold a knob-eating contest this year.

James Vincent-Smith won the Dorset Knob Throwing competition in 2019, with a world record of 31.9m (105ft).

He said: “I found the festival when I was in Swanage on a long weekend and I was looking at events nearby.

"I saw Dorset Knob Throwing which, having a bit of a misspent youth throwing stones, mostly at beaches, I thought this is something I could go along and potentially win.”

Originally from Devon and now living in Rochester, James said he was surprised a Dorset local did not win the competition.

“I feel like I took the title away from them," he said, adding: "I think people who live in the county and near the coast should be good at throwing things but clearly Devon people have the edge."

The champion is returning to Dorset for this year's competition in an attempt to retain his title.

“Without a doubt, I plan on winning this year’s Dorset Knob Throwing competition," he said.

The thrice-cooked biscuit is not just thrown - people also enjoy them as a snack.

That is how bakery company Moores say the Dorset knob started in the 1800s.

At the end of each day, bakers would mix the leftover dough with butter and sugar to make into small round portions called buttons.

Similar to a rusk, the Dorset knob is quite dry and is often eaten with butter or cheese.

Traditionally, they are also dipped in tea or cider. They can also be paired with honey and cream, known locally as thunder and lightning.

Blandford-born Louise Denton-Haydock, a lover of Dorset knobs, said she liked eating them with lots of cheese and butter.

“I heard that the knob-throwing festival got very popular, but it is back this year, so I hope it goes well for the organisers,” she said.

Chef Owen Gower from Joey’s Family Food in Dorchester described the biscuits as "light and airy".

He added: “I would probably use the Dorset knob as a giant crouton in a stew or something to soak up all the juices to make them a little bit less crunchy.”

Michael Quinn, owner of Quinn's Butchers, said he would indulge in a Dorset knob occasionally.

"I would pair it with a Dorchester Quinn's Butchers' faggot or some nice local pastrami and cheese.”

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