Strongmen come to town (From Northwich Guardian)

Strongmen compete in Northwich Festival event

12:10pm Wednesday 25th August 2010 in News

STRONGMEN from across Europe will convene in Northwich on Bank Holiday Monday for a spectacular test of strength.

Qualifiers have been held up and down the country ready for the UK Strongman North final at Moss Farm, at 11am.

The event forms part of the Northwich Festival, which takes place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Mark Preece, a former strongman who has organised the festival final for the past five years, said: “If you’ve ever watched Strongman on the telly it’s exactly the same. They do the same events as on the TV, such as pick up a car and walk with it and pull a wagon.

“During the past five years, it’s got bigger and bigger. It’s become a nationwide competition that’s grown from Cheshire’s Strongest Man, but it’s still part of Northwich Festival.”

The UK Strongman North novice final will also be held on the Sunday.

As well as giving strongmen the chance to pit their muscles against each other, the competitions also raise money for charity.

This year’s charity is Everyman, the UK’s leading prostate and testicular cancer campaign, and a fundraising draw will be held for the star prize of a T-shirt signed by last year’s World’s Strongest Man competitors.

Mark said: “Local companies have helped raise sponsorship for the prize fund, which means we can give more to the charity.

“I would like to thank them, because without them I haven’t got a strongman competition.”

Monday will also showcase live music from 11am to 5pm, with sets from Blueyellows, Papisolo, The Valentines, Dayve Dean, Tapestry and Christie.

Festival-goers will be able to have their picture taken with the FA Cup on Monday, and there will be a car boot sale.

This follows a Purple Cactus Comedy Club special on the Friday night, a family fun day on Saturday, with The New Amen Corner at night, and a day of live music on the Sunday.

Tickets are available by ringing 01606 814640.

For more information visit northwich-festival.co.uk.