Wacky lawnmower races at Marsham’s Starting Handle Club summer show

Starting Handle Club show at Marsham. Ben Ramsey, 7, from Rollesby.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

The first ever Norfolk Bar Stool Olympics is a new feature at the Starting Handle Club's sixth annual summer show in Marsham.

Another new attraction at the event, which raises money for charity, is an aerobatic display by pilot Lauren Richardson in a Pitts Special aircraft.

The event, which attracts between 2,000-2,500 people, is being held on Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 between 9am-5pm at Orchard Cottage, Allison Street (NR10 5PJ).

It is a major showcase for the Norfolk-based Starting Handle Club which was formed in 1974 and preserves and displays vintage agricultural equipment.

The Norfolk Bar Stool Olympics, inspired by an American craze, will see about 12 lawnmowers and 20 drivers taking part in team races.

Bar stools and makeshift bars have been built onto the vehicles and a prize will be given out for the best decorated bar stool as well as winning team.

The three events will be a relay race in which a plastic beer bottle is used as a baton, a dizzy race where the lawnmowers have to drive around a flag five times in circles, and a wet race where the vehicles have to carry a five litre beer keg filled with coloured water.

Races will take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning in the main arena.

Bob Parke, club member, said: 'We are going to have a bit of fun. At Marsham we try and do something a bit different.'

The aerobatic display is happening at 12.30pm on Sunday.

Up to 250 tractors dating from 1916 to modern day vehicles, agricultural equipment dating back to the 1880s, and BSA Bantam motorbikes will be on show.

Last year the event raised £1,500, split equally between five charities.

Tickets cost £5 (under 15s free).

Call Mr Parke on 07860 174906 to register a show or racing vehicle.