Boston councillor hits back at 'cabbage bowling' critics

THE man behind the cabbage bowling world championships, to take place at Boston's Big Jubilee Picnic, has hit back at critics of the event.

Councillor Mark Baker came up with the idea to hold the so-called Bowling Greens tournament at the celebration in Central Park on June 4.

But the new sport has come under fire from the borough's Labour councillors who claim it goes against the Government's Love Food, Hate Waste campaign and is setting a bad example to the public.

In a letter to the Target last week the councillors called for Bowling Greens to be scrapped.

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But Councillor Baker, a Conservative member who represents Pilgrim Ward, has dismissed these complaints and pointed out there is a long history of food being used for sport and entertainment.

He said: "The veg used will not go to waste. They will be the most important vegetables in Boston and indeed Lincolnshire on this day.

"This event differs little from cheese rolling, coconut shies, pumpkins at Halloween, egg and spoon races, custard pie throwing, record attempts at bathing in baked beans, potato printing in schools or nurseries, the Harwich sausage throwing competition, the egg throwing championship in Helpringham to name a few.

"This is not to take away from the importance of conserving and minimising waste but to highlight that food, has always been used for sport, entertainment and education.

"In this case it also plans to help promote an area and their produce.

"The event will be promoting Lincolnshire as the county which put vegetables on the plate of the country and indeed further afield.

"The winner of the Bowling Greens World Championship will also have a great opportunity to promote Lincolnshire vegetables and the workers who work so hard to produce and supply it to the rest of the UK and beyond.

"The short-term use of a few cabbages plans to increase the awareness of Lincolnshire's ground-workers and the valuable produce they grow and distribute and hopefully encourage more people to buy Lincolnshire."

Councillor Baker claimed that many of the cabbages used will most likely remain edible afterwards and if so would be made available for the public to help themselves to at the end of the day.

Those not fit for human consumption or simply leftover could be used to feed farm animals.

Councillor Baker added: "I look forward to seeing you all in Central Park on June 4 and wish you all the best of luck in becoming the world champion and an ambassador for Lincolnshire produce."