In an unprecedented move, the UK's second-largest conkers tournament, Conkerthon, has announced it will use frozen nuts for the first time, igniting a debate among enthusiasts. The decision comes as a response to a conker shortage caused by adverse weather conditions in autumn 2024.
Chris Emmel, the organizer of Conkerthon, explained the situation: "There are not enough decent conkers this autumn after nuts were blown off trees weeks ago, before they were fully grown. We've got no choice but to use defrosted nuts, which we put in the freezer last year as a back-up plan."
The tournament, set to take place on Saturday, 28 September 2024, in Redbourn, Hertfordshire, will supply 150 competitors with conkers from the previous year that have been frozen and preserved. This decision has raised concerns among critics who argue that frozen conkers may break more easily, potentially reducing game duration to mere seconds.
Conkers, the seeds of horse chestnut trees, have a rich history in British culture. The game of conkers originated in the British Isles, with the first recorded game using horse chestnuts dating back to 1848. Interestingly, horse chestnut trees are not native to the UK, having been introduced in the 16th century.
The World Conker Championships, the largest tournament of its kind, has been held annually since 1965. In light of the Conkerthon controversy, the championship's committee is investigating whether the use of frozen conkers constitutes "conker-tampering."
St John Burkett, the committee's spokesman, stated: "Allegations of conker-tampering at Conkerthon have been received. We're looking into it, but it's proving to be a tough nut to crack."
This situation highlights the challenges faced by traditional games in adapting to changing environmental conditions. The horse chestnut tree, which can live up to 300 years, is currently threatened by a species of leaf-mining moth, potentially impacting future conker supplies.
Despite the controversy, Conkerthon will proceed with its knock-out format. Competitors will take turns striking each other's conkers, which are threaded on laces, until one is smashed. To ensure fairness, the tournament organizers supply all conkers, preventing participants from using hardened or treated nuts.
The conkers debate extends beyond gameplay. These seeds have played various roles throughout history, from being used to produce cordite for ammunition in both World Wars to serving as a natural deterrent for spiders in homes. Some people even believe that vinegar or baking can harden conkers, although this practice is discouraged in official tournaments.
As the conker community grapples with this frozen dilemma, it's worth noting that conkers have faced challenges before. In 2004, the EU considered banning conkers due to nickel content but later rejected the idea. Similarly, in 2000, a motion was proposed to ban conkers in some UK schools due to safety concerns.
Regardless of the outcome, this year's Conkerthon promises to be a unique event in the long and storied history of this beloved British pastime.