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Porridge-eating contest in England's mini Scotland

BBC Man playing bagpipesBBC
A pipe band will be performing and marching in Corby during the Highland Gathering

The world porridge-eating championship - famous for its mention by the Apollo 11 astronauts - is making a comeback at this weekend's Highland Gathering... in Corby.

The two-day event, featuring pipe bands and Scottish dancing, has been running in the heart of England since 1968, during a time when thousands of Scots were arriving for employment in the steelworks in Northamptonshire.

Mission control famously told the space crew the outcome of the Corby championship in 1969 - a victory for John Coyle from Ireland, who consumed 23 bowls in 10 minutes.

However, this year participants will be measured on who can eat "two bowls of porridge the quickest", organiser Mark Pengelly said.

Barnaby Perkins/BBC Porridge in a white bowl on a wooden tableBarnaby Perkins/BBC
Competitors will be required to finish two bowls of the traditional Scottish breakfast at pace

Corby's association with Scotland began when Glasgow-based Stewarts & Lloyds constructed one of the UK's largest steelworks there in the 1930s.

By 1961, a third of the town's population had been born in Scotland, according to census figures.

Mr Pengelly told BBC Radio Northampton the connection endures, saying: "Even today you can still hear the Scottish accent in the town."

Four women wearing coloured tops and skirts dancing on a stage
Mark Pengelly said there were more highland dancing classes in Corby than in many similar sized Scottish towns
Members of a pipe band in Corby, playing the bagpipes and drums on a grass playing field. They are dressed in traditional Scottish clothing including tartan kilts.
The pipe bands are one of the main attractions over the weekend

There will also be pipe bands, a "mini" highland games and the All England Highland Dancing Championship.

Former Scotland and Liverpool footballer Gary Gillespie is the chieftain for this year's event.

Getty Images Ex-Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie pictured in his football kitGetty Images
Ex-Scotland and Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie will be the Highland Gathering's chieftain

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