Bonkers for conkers! Annual championships return to the Heath
Eventual finalist Max Appleby competes in the 8-13 years heats. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Nearly 500 people turned out on a warm autumnal afternoon on Hampstead Heath to vie to be crowned a champion conker player.
Winner of the under 5's competition Sirius Cundy aged 3, pictured with Conkermeister and MC Paul Maskell, and Anne Fairweather, deputy chair of the Heath management committee. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
The 17th annual Hampstead Heath Conker Championships drew in the crowds young and old alike.
The youngest winner of the day was three-year-old Sirius Cundy who triumphed in the under-fives category. George Boettcher, seven, won his group while Alfie Scrimgeour was crowned winner in the eight-to-13 age range.
In the adult section, Edward Dyson beat his opponent in the final to be declared victorious.
All winners were given a golden conker as a prize.
Winner of the 5-7 competition George Boettcher (7) with runner up Trey (7), pictured with Conkermeister and MC Paul Maskell, and Anne Fairweather, deputy chair of the Heath management committee. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Paul Maskell, the City of London Corporation’s leisure and events manager and “Conkermeister” for the day, said: “The championship was a brilliant family day out supported by more than 450 members of the public.
“It was a great atmosphere and we were very pleased with such a diverse turnout, with people of all ages taking part.”
8-13 heats Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Conkermeister and event umpire, Paul Maskell. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Winner of the Adult Competition Edward Dyson, pictured with Conkermeister and MC Paul Maskell, and Anne Fairweather, deputy chair of the Heath management committee. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Winner of the Adult competition Edward Dyson celebrates his victory with his Golden Conker. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Winner of the 8-13s competition Alfie Scrimgeour (10) aims a winning strike at Max Appleby's conker in the finals. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
8-13 years final between Max Appleby (9) and eventual winner Alfie Scrimgeour (10) at Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
8-13 heats. Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Supporters cheer on the champions. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Adult heats. Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Special guests, Mad Dog Bites provided the live sounds. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Preparing to fight it out for the aged 5-7 title, finalists Trey and eventual winner George, both aged 7. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
8-13 heats. Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Serious faces during the adult heats Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
Hampstead Heath Conker Champoinships. Contestants Jacqueline White and Rebecca Skinner hone their technique before the heats. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
5-7s heats. Hampstead Heath Conker Championships. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
