EAGER knob throwers will have a whole new field to negotiate this year as the famous Dorset Knob Throwing Festival is relocating.
In time for the quirky festival’s tenth anniversary the Dorset Knob throwing contest will move from its home in Cattistock village to the grounds of Kingston Maurward College.
As the festival has grown in popularity over the past ten years the need for a larger location with better access and more facilities was needed.
Chairman of the Dorset Knob Throwing Committee Katherine Wright said: “Simply we have outgrown the village location.
“Like any successful public event we need to ensure we are meeting all the health and safety regulations and working to prevent accidents- it is all positive.
“Last year we had an incident where an ambulance was almost unable to get through the grounds, so we need to ensure we are not in that position again.”
Originally set up to raise funds for the village cricket and football club, the festival has become a fun fixture on the county’s social calendar.
Besides the actual knob throwing of the savoury Dorset-made biscuit, there are a number of other knob-related attractions including painting, a knob and spoon race and guess the weight.
Katherine said: “Moving location gives the festival the chance to continue to thrive, it is a really fun event and really unique to England.
“Even though we are moving the festival is still very much connected to the village.
"All the money raised at Kingston Maurwood will still go towards raising funds for the cricket club, Savill Hall, the community Playspace and all the other local organisations.
“Every time you throw a knob is money for Cattistock. David, the knob maker at Moores Biscuits won’t make knobs for anyone else so it is totally unique to Dorset.”
The knob throwing runs alongside the Frome Valley Food Fest which offers guests the chance to sample and purchase an array of local breads, cheese, ciders, meats, and chocolates.
Additionally, the festival will now run a park and ride service from Dorchester to the festival site.
Negotiating the relocation has been Katherine’s first move as Chairman of the committee since Nigel Collins stepped down last year.
She said: “With a new chairman and the 10th anniversary it just felt like the right time to move sites. It felt like it has all fell into place.”
The Dorset Knob Throwing Festival will take place on Sunday, April 30.
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