One of Oxfordshire's quirkiest traditions the World Poohsticks Championships celebrates its 40th year this weekend.
The event sees competitors launch wooden sticks off a bridge and watch them cruise along the water currents with the winning stick the first to make it to the other side.
The game was made famous by Winnie-the-Pooh who said: “Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
The Rotary Club of Oxford Spires runs the world championships annually to keep the curious game alive and support charitable causes.
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This year competitors’ entry fee will raise funds for Yellow Submarine, an award-winning Oxfordshire charity that believes people with learning disabilities and autism deserve to live life to the full.
The club is supported by neighbouring Rotary clubs and sponsors to organise the event, which was founded by a lock keeper at Days Lock in Little Wittenham in 1984.
In 2015 the world championships switched sites to the River Windrush at Langel Common in Witney, next to Cogges Manor Farm.
Its newest home is at Sandford Lock Bridge south of Oxford, adjacent to Sandford Lock.
In 2016 the World Pooh Sticks Championships were recognised has one of the quirkiest events in the country.
The competition was named by holidaylettings.co.uk in its "12 brilliant (but bonkers) competitions in Britain".
This year's event is on Sunday May 28 at Sandford-on-Thames OX4 4YD at 11.30am.
It is completely ticketed and costs £4 per person or £15 for a family/group of four.
Go to poohsticks.uk to buy tickets.
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