June festivals: Derbyshire’s toe wrestling championships

Originating in nearby Wetton during the 1970s, toe wrestling is a sport fast gaining popularity, with annual championships being held in June or July. Top players include Tom ‘100m’ Martin, Paul ‘Toeminator’ Beech and Alan ‘Nasty’ Nash.

The story behind the sport is that it all started when regulars at Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn in Derbyshire set themselves the challenge of finding a sport which the British could win. Eventually, after much searching, it was decided they should invent a new one – toe wrestling was born.