THE popular Scottish Conker Championships has been cancelled just days before it was due to go ahead, writes Sally Gillespie.
Organisers Borders Forest Trust have been forced to pull the plug on the event scheduled for Saturday in Peebles because of a lack of conkers.
It’s the first time in the event’s six-year history that it has been cancelled.
The charity’s communications officer Louisa Finch said: “Despite many efforts to locate a source of suitable conkers in time to prepare for the event, this past summer’s weather has meant that too few are available.
“Many horse chestnut trees are bare this year or only have very small conkers which wouldn’t have fared well in competition
“The first five Scottish Conker Championships were a real success, so we are saddened that the event won’t be happening this year.
“We’d like to apologise for any disappointment caused and hope that the championships will be back next year.”
The popular contest is one of the flagship events of the Tweed Valley Forest Festival which starts this weekend.
The rest of the event is going ahead as scheduled, including the Wood Market in Peebles when wood product makers sell direct to the public and other woodworkers including chainsaw artists show their skills on Tweed Green and offer people the chance to try making a wooden spoon, bat box or witches broom for Halloween.
Organisers said there will be other children’s activities and entertainment at the weekend including the Woodland Puppets and music provided by Nomad Beat with drum workshops in the yurt.
For more information visit www.forest-festival.com