Giant waterbugs, meal worms, locusts, squidgy sago worms, buffalo worms and crickets were just some of the not so tasty snacks swallowed by brave St John’s teachers, egged on by a roaring crowd of students.
But it was all in a good cause. Students had to pay to present their chosen teacher with the bugs and more than £300 for Great Western Hospital’s Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal was the result.
The event was organised by Ben Cobbold, St John’s Research and Curriculum Director and his Year 9 tutor group. This is the third year that Ben has hosted the event. Ben told marlborough.news: “I was inspired by the celebrity TV programme and I knew the kids would enjoy putting their teachers on the spot and watching them squirm as they ate the bugs!”
Many of the volunteer teachers were apprehensive about what lay in wait for them. “I’m slightly regretting my choice to do this,” said Kerri Sullivan. “The kids will get their own back. But it’s all in a good cause.”
Teacher Rob Keeping, who is ex RAF, had no such qualms. “I was in the RAF so I’ll be all right. I’ve eaten a toad before,” he said. “It tasted like chicken!”
Teacher Jonny Friend, who was watching the proceedings said: “I took part last year and ate a scorpion and a tarantula. I’m a vegetarian now!”
The pickled tarantulas were definitely the most feared by the teachers. “If I get the tarantula, then I know that’s bad. It was not pleasant watching what happened last year,” stated Jay Morgan.
In fact, the teachers were so filled with dread at eating a tarantula that they offered their own donations if Ben Cobbold would scoff down both tarantulas on offer! He was happy to oblige.
“It tastes just like a nice steak,” he said as he smacked his lips.
The Bush Tucker Trial was the first of many charity events to be held at St. John’s this week. Ben is grateful to www.crunchycritters.com for providing the bugs and making a donation towards the event.