Dorset Knob throwing added to school curriculum in Dorchester
The Prince of Wales School's hosting their own event after this year's festival was cancelled
The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester will be teaching Dorset “knob throwing” to children after the famous local festival was cancelled for the third year in a row.
Dorset knob-throwing contests traditionally involve competitors hurling a Dorset knob – a hard biscuit – as far as they can. The record throw of 29.4 metres (96 ft) was set in 2012.
Headteacher at Prince of Wales School Mr Gary Spracklen said:
“The Dorset knob biscuit is part of our local cultural heritage. It’s something to be celebrated and each year many of our children enjoy attending the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival.
"With the festival cancelled, for the third year in a row, we don’t want our children to miss out. That’s why we will be bringing Dorset knob throwing to the curriculum and hosting our very own Dorset knob throwing event for families here at The Prince of Wales School”
Year 4 pupil Charlotte said:
"We love everything about Dorset here at The Prince of Wales School.
"In our lessons we already learn about the international significance of the Jurassic Coast, the life and work of Thomas Hardy and we become national experts on one of the most complex Iron Age Hillforts in Europe, Maiden Castle.
"Our new work on the Dorset knob biscuit will build on our knowledge and appreciation of all things Dorset. Me and my friends are very confident that we will be better than our teachers and parents at Dorset knob throwing. We are going to get practising in our PE lessons and do our very best to set some new world records!”
Others schools urged to get involved
Mr Spracklen said: “It would be great to see other schools locally embracing the Dorset knob and hosting their own throwing events. Perhaps we could set up a Dorset knob throwing schools league with home and away fixtures? I’d love to hear from any schools that would like to get involved”.