In pictures: Contestants give peas a chance at 50th annual World Peashooting Championship

There were some fancy contraptions on show at the 50th annual World Peashooting Championship, which has taken place in the village of Witcham since 1971, with a break only for the pandemic.

Dan Cross was crowned world champion at last Saturday’s (July 8) event, while Sally Redman-Davies took the women’s title for the third time. Luke Young was the junior champion.

Joy Walker, one of the organisers, described it as “very successful”, adding: “We had more competitors than we’ve had in recent years.”

Competitors have to hit a target using their peashooter. But what is the secret to being successful with said device – is it the peashooter itself, the type of pea used, or the technique?

“Everything!” said Joy. “The peashooters that we use have to be 12 inches long, the peas are maple peas, which are dried peas that we purchase especially for the event, and people stand at a 12-foot distance from the target – eight and 10 feet for the children of different ages.

“And it is all about the aim, the size of the pea, and some people come with ready-made sights.”