Conkering fear to enjoy a traditional pastime
AT many schools, the game was consigned to the history books many years ago on health and safety grounds.
But one school in Bristol has chosen to fly in the face of nanny state regulations by reintroducing conkers to the playground.
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Calum Freeman, eight, and Harry Thorpe, seven, take part in the conker championships at Cleve House School Picture: Dave Betts DB201210011A-002
Cleve House School's second annual conkers competition got under way yesterday – and there wasn't a pair of safety goggles in sight.
Dressed in the school's blue and white tracksuits, pupils at the independent school in Wells Road, Knowle, did battle in the playground yesterday afternoon.
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Joint principal Elaine Lawson said the inaugural event had proved such a huge success last year that the competition – won this year by William Edlin, eight, and Emily Grimes, five – was back by popular demand.
She said: "Conker matches were a regular event in the playground during my childhood at this time of year.
"Last year was the first time most of our pupils had ever played the game, and they enjoyed it so much, as did staff and parents, that we wanted to give them another opportunity."
The game has declined in popularity in recent years amid fears over playground safety.
Mrs Lawson said: "We believe it is excessive to make the children wear protective goggles but it is made clear that any contestants are playing on a voluntary basis, and they will be well supervised.
"We are awarding trophies to the winners again this year, but overall the conkers tournament is a bit of fun."
Comments
by Lone_Ranger
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:08PM
“In my day it was just plain old "Bulldog" but go on then Andyyandyy, enlighten us - where have you heard it called "International Bulldog"?”
by andyyandyy
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:43AM
“The days of school where you could play games like Conkers and British Balldogs or in this PC world it would be called International Balldogs.”
by 161249
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:07AM
“http://tinyurl.com/yjunnao
Typical post nonsense.
Conkers has never been banned, far less by "nanny state regulations".”
by BristolDJ
Friday, October 12 2012, 8:58AM
“Lone_ranger is completely right.. This was never banned ANYWHERE. Just made up by newspapers such as the EP. Why would schools that play sports like rugby, ban the most dangerous game of conkers.........
I worry about this country sometimes.....”
by Lone_Ranger
Friday, October 12 2012, 8:03AM
“NO - conkers were banned by a single school under H&S grounds. The idea that conkers was banned across the board is a complete fabrication.”