17 May 2017
Goadsby estate agents in Verwood recently supported the Hillside First School annual Spring Fayre. In addition to helping promote the event by contributing towards local signage, they also once again organised the much coveted Welly Wanging Competition.
Branch Manager Rob Ward, pictured with this year’s winner Jake Clark comments “It’s always a pleasure to get involved with local community events, particularly as a resident of Verwood myself. We started the Welly Wanging Competition last year and it was a huge success so we were thrilled to be asked again this year to help out”
Negotiator Nathan Stainer, who has been working in the Verwood branch now for almost a year stated “When I began my career as an estate agent, I didn’t ever once think that throwing wellies would be an integral part of my job description!”
All proceeds from the Spring Fayre are put directly back into the school. This year a total of £2269.00 was raised by the generous people of Verwood, much of which is being used to purchase some new play equipment for the children. Tracy Pearson, Hillside First School PTA Chair comments, “We want to thank Goadsby estate agents for their continued support and help. Despite the weather, all of the Stalls rallied together to make a great sum of money for which we are so grateful for. Our extended thanks go out to everyone involved”.
The History of Welly Wanging
History has it that the sport originated from a spat between two farmers in the local pub one night. An unfortunate incident saw the spilling of ale into the wellington boot of an innocent and unwitting bystander. Notwithstanding the virtual criminal act of spilling ale in the first place – something that would almost certainly have caused a chorus of boos, hisses and well deserved verbal abuse directed at the clumsy oaf. The farmer whose trousers were now sodded and whose foot was drowned up to the ankle was not best pleased by all accounts. In a fit of rage he removed his boot and preceded to chase the drink spilling fool out of the pub swinging hard and fast with his improvised rubber weapon.
Unfortunately, with only one boot he was considerably slower than his prey. And so in a fit of frustration he wanged the boot as hard as he could in the direction of the escaping farmer. It’s unclear whether he missed or managed to clonk the chap on the back of the head. Legend has it that locals re-enacted the scene over the following weeks. And that this somehow turned into a friendly competition as to who could throw the welly most like the angry farmer – who threw it a long way apparently.