A traditional yard of ale drinking contest in a seaside town has been cancelled by the RNLI amid fears it could encourage binge drinking.
Locals in Lyme Regis, Dorset gather outside the Cobb Arms pub every year to see who can down a yard glass of beer in the quickest time.
The fun and popular competition is held as part of Lifeboat Week, a series of charity events to raise funds for the RNLI.
But the lifesaving charity has cancelled the yard of ale contest because it sent out the wrong message about drinking large quantities of alcohol near the water.
Locals in Lyme Regis, Dorset gather outside the Cobb Arms pub every year to see who can down a yard glass of beer in the quickest time
They also cited health and safety concerns about large crowds gathering in the road outside a pub for the event.
In 2006 Conger Coddling, that involved people knocking rivals off a wooden block by swinging a dead conger eel at them, was banned after 32 years following complaints of animal cruelty.
The pram derby, which saw teams of ‘mothers and babies’ race around a course drinking half pints at every pub on the route, was also cancelled due to health and safety fears.
Gary Valentine, landlord of the Cobb Arms, said: ‘This is the first I’ve heard about it being cancelled. The yard of ale contest is part of Lifeboat Week and is one of the highlights.
‘It attracts a huge crowd and we have never had any trouble or problems before.
‘Everyone stands outside to watch, half the road is closed for it.
‘There’s not many people that actually manage to drink the whole yard of ale anyway, the majority spill half of it down their shirts.
‘It’s a real shame. It has been going for at least ten years and this year’s was hugely popular.
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‘I can’t see the logic behind it. It’s sad they’ve come to that decision.’
Chris Higgs, the reigning yard of ale champion who drank his yard in 9.5 seconds, said: ‘Such a shame about the news of losing the last true lifeboat week event. I am proud to say I’m multiple time and reigning champion.
‘It was so great this year to see so many new faces having a go and such a great atmosphere.
‘Let’s hope this isn’t the end of another great Lyme tradition.’
Local resident Lisa Blake posted online: ‘How did we ever survive our childhood and teenage years? PC attitude has gone bonkers.’
The Lifeboat Week has been held in Lyme Regis every summer since the early 1970s.
The 2020 event had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, and so this year’s celebrations proved hugely popular.
This year’s event raised £36,000 for the RNLI and the yard of ale competition attracted a record number of 25 people taking part.
Until now, the RNLI had backed to yard of ale event.
But a spokesperson said it was no longer appropriate for the lifesaving charity to support it.
They said: ‘The decision to remove an event called a ‘Yard of Ale’ from the programme of events included in the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week was made after considering the safety of large crowds gathering in the road outside a public house.
‘In addition, the RNLI has always been an advocate for responsible use of alcohol on or around water and no longer felt that it was appropriate to encourage the consumption of large quantities of alcohol at an event raising funds for the lifesaving charity.’
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