Worm Charming

Falmouth Worm Charming Championships.

Falmouth Worm Charming Championships is a worm charming competition and afternoon of events at The Dracaena Centre, Falmouth. Worm charming, worm tattoos, worm art workshops, brass band, food and refreshments and the chance to win unique trophy artworks for the team that charms the most worms.

Worm charming is the act of enticing earthworms to the surface of the earth. As a skill and profession worm charming is now very rare, with the art being passed through generations to ensure that it survives. Most worm charming methods involve vibrating the soil, which encourages the worms to the surface. In 2008, researchers from Vanderbilt University claimed that the worms surface because the vibrations are similar to those produced by digging moles, which prey on earthworms. Worm charming is a behaviour also observed in animals other than humans, especially among birds. The methods used vary; however, tapping the earth with feet to generate vibrations is widespread. One common example of this is the “Seagull dance”. In most competitions, the charmer or team of charmers with the most worms in a set time are declared the winners. They usually have a zone in which to perform their charming, measuring three-meter squared. Worms will be returned to the earth after sunset on the day of the event to avoid easy picking from the birds. Worms are not hurt in the process.

Rules: Teams of up to 4 people per plot . 3×3 plots. The duration of the competition is to be 30 minutes, starting at about 2.30pm. Each team brings their own tools for charming. Worms may not be dug from the ground. Vibrations are only to be used. No mechanical vibrators. Any form of music may be used to charm the worms out of the earth. Charmed worms are to be released after the birds have gone to roost on the evening of the event.

Make a team or fly solo in this year’s worm charming championships. £3 suggested donation per person. Dracaena Centre, Falmouth, 17th July 2022.