Hold on to your hats - hat throwing champs comes to Leeds

Leeds Industrial Museum will be brimming with excitement on August 1 when, for the first time ever, the historic site plays host to none other than the Yorkshire Open Hat Throwing Championships.

The exciting day of flat cap flinging will give museum visitors a chance to throw their hat into the ring and take part in a contest which began almost a decade ago on the edge of Ilkley Moor.

The brainchild of Bradford-based poet Glyn Watkins, as its name suggest, the competition involves throwing hats at a stationary pole or target in a test of nerve, hand-eye coordination and accuracy.

Governed by the Transnational Incorporated Federation of Formally Thrown Hat Associations (TIFFTHA) the rules of the contest require all hats be safe to throw, and no metal is allowed.

Explaining how the event started, Glyn said: “In 2009 I was trying to create an alternative fringe thing in Ilkley and on Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at at just came into my head, closely followed by a vision of competitive hat throwing.

“The combination of Yorkshire’s anthem being about a man who has lost his hat on Ilkley Moor and getting people to throw hats at a target just seemed right.”

From those humble beginnings, the event grew in size and stature, with the second year attracting international competitors and proclaiming a 12 year-old champion.

Now, almost ten years later, Glyn is hoping the added attraction of hosting this year’s championships at such a historic site on Yorkshire Day will make it the best yet.

He added: “It’s always worked well, even when it’s been hard work due to the weather and literally anybody that can throw a hat, of any age- I’ve had the Lord Mayor of Bradford wearing his chain and police officers having a go.

“Leeds Industrial Museum is full of quirky and unexpected things; and competitive hat throwing fits it like a topper. And having the Yorkshire Open Championship on Yorkshire Day just makes me glad I threw my hat into the ring with Leeds.”

Running from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday, August 1, entry to the competition is included in museum admission charges.

All visitors to the museum on the day will be eligible for entering and hats will be provided.

Leeds City Council leader, Coun Judith Blake, said: “Each year Yorkshire Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate everything that we know makes Leeds and Yorkshire such a unique and distinctive place.

“We are a city with a very special heritage and hosting an event like this commemorates that history as we also showcase the lighter side of Leeds.”

A former mill built in 1805 by noted industrialist Benjamin Gott, Leeds Industrial Museum was once the world’s largest woollen factory. The site opened as Leeds Industrial Museum in 1982.

Record attempt

Also on Yorkshire Day, Leeds Kirkgate Market will be making a world record attempt for the highest number of people wearing a flat cap in one place at the same time.

Taking place on Wednesday, August 1 from 12 noon to 1pm in the food hall and events space, the attempt needs more than 250 people to break the current record and entrants have to be over 18.

There will be a number of companies there on the day selling flat caps for those who don’t have their own.

Free, family-friendly activities and live entertainment will also take place throughout the day, with giveaways from Yorkshire Tea.