Corby: Porridge-eating contest held in England’s mini Scotland

The world porridge-eating championship – famous for its mention by the Apollo 11 astronauts – is making a comeback at this weekend’s Highland Gathering… in Corby.

The two-day event, featuring pipe bands and Scottish dancing, has been running in the heart of England since 1968, during a time when thousands of Scots were arriving for employment in the steelworks in Northamptonshire.

Mission control famously told the space crew the outcome of the Corby championship in 1969 – a victory for John Coyle from Ireland, who consumed 23 bowls in 10 minutes.

However, this year participants will be measured on who can eat “two bowls of porridge the quickest”, organiser Mark Pengelly said.

Corby’s association with Scotland began when Glasgow-based Stewarts & Lloyds constructed one of the UK’s largest steelworks there in the 1930s.

By 1961, a third of the town’s population had been born in Scotland, according to census figures.

Mr Pengelly told BBC Radio Northampton the connection endures, saying: “Even today you can still hear the Scottish accent in the town.”

There will also be pipe bands, a “mini” highland games and the All England Highland Dancing Championship.

Former Scotland and Liverpool footballer Gary Gillespie is the chieftain for this year’s event.