CHASE THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING
When it comes to the bazaar the Brits chasing a Christmas pudding all dressed as Santas is one of the more out-there traits.
Mostly the residents of Weymouth and Portland in Dorset are really quite calm and quiet in their demeanour. However at Christmas and for charity they are up for some festive fun.
Over the last ten years a ‘Chase the Pudding’ event is now set on the calendar so if visiting the town in the lead up to Christmas do check this out.
After her son died Pam Govier set up the charity in memory of Will. In the ensuing years the charity has been able to encourage and teach hundreds of children to swim and also learn how to sail many of which in the waters that were the former Olympic sailing venue for London 2012.
And they are off…Chase the Christmas Pudding with 200 people dressed as Santas.
Weymouth beach became awash with santas for the charity fun run who first get a warm up session thanks to local fitness trainer Gina Hartley before heading off along the beach all hoping to catch the elusive pudding. Or at least a runner dressed as one!
Warm up time…Chase the Christmas Pudding entrants.
The reward for any entrant in catching the pudding is to don the costume the following year and become the plodding pudding.
This year’s the winner was Andrew Dumbrell so he will be the man to catch in December 2019.
Chase the Christmas Pudding Weymouth Beach, Dorset.
During one year the event was held in the snow but the award winning beach which in the summer has thousands of holiday makers enjoying its safe bathing and fine sand was lined with supporters whom turned out to encourage the suited santas run by. They were also joined by members of the cast of the pantomime Dick Whittington who were performing at the nearby Pavilion Theatre.
It was King George III that helped to put Weymouth on the map regarding enjoying the beach and sea bathing. He was often called ‘mad’ King George and some would say the same of the runners but their antics do such a great deal of good. And I would be mad to say otherwise!
