Pewsey’s famous fancy dress races have been forced to change their rules – and drop the word ‘race’ from their title – because of fears that organisers could be prosecuted for encouraging binge drinking events.
But the team behind the event have insisted that participants won’t be banned from drinking – so long as they are not racing to win. Drinking games at licenced premises were outlawed in 2009, and organisers insist they are just falling in line after consulting lawyers.
Competitors in the four-legged and wheelbarrow races – now renamed ‘events’ – have been told that they can’t chug a pint at each pit stop along the route if they are racing to win.
Entrants who want to drink at each of the pubs along the way – including the football club, Coopers Arms, Moonrakers, Daisy’s Kitchen, Thomson’s Deli, and the Royal Oak – will be barred from winning the competitive element, and are not allowed to down their drinks in one.
In the four-legged race, teams of three dash around the village tied at the ankles, drinking wine at a number of pit-stops along the way. During the wheelbarrow race – sometimes called the wheelbeero race – teams of three have to complete the course with one of the team in a wheelbarrow, downing a pint of beer at each pit-stop.
In the past the rules have been strict: a 30-second time penalty for spilling a drink, or five minutes for failing to finish one. And stakes are high: there are prizes for the fastest men’s and ladies’ team of £50 each in the wheelbarrow race, with £100 for the best decorated wheelbarrow and fancy dress.
Roads are already closed to ensure the safety of competitors, and the wheelbarrow race – the oldest of the two events – has not recorded a serious accident in its 33 year history.
Bernie Bradshaw, managing director of Pewsey Carnival organiser PADFAC assured villagers: “There will be beer in the wheelbeero and wine in the four-legged race.
“These two events will be the same as they were run way back when the game was to run the route, drink the drink and finish, for which you got a medal.
“For a few competitive teams who would like to be timed running the course, you cannot drink alcohol, but if you would still like the fun of racing you can! We kept it in because we thought you might like it.
“This is not a health and safety issue. This is a law introduced because people were being encouraged to drink high octane drinks quickly. The Government, trying to keep people safe, created a law that we got caught up in.
“I’ve not heard the licensing officer or the police say that our beer or wine races were dangerous. On the contrary, over the years they have both been very supportive, but at some point we have to follow the law.”
The new rules were met with howls of derision on social media, although organisers pointed out that the majority of teams make themselves illegible to win anyway, by entering more than the requisite three team members.
“Come on Pewsey, lots of your neighbours are working really hard to make Carnival 2014 brilliant! We shouldn’t let a few changes spoil the fun,” wrote Mr Bradshaw on the PAD-FAC blog.
The four-legged race will be held on Thursday, September 11, from 8pm. Registration takes place at the Bouverie Hall from 5pm until 7pm. Entry costs £18 per team.
The wheelbarrow race starts at 7.30pm at the Bouverie Hall with a parade of entrants. Entry costs £12 per person, with a minimum of three per team. Registration is between 4pm and 7.30pm.
The carnival culminates with Wiltshire’s oldest and biggest illuminated carnival parade, on Saturday, September 20 from 7.30pm.
