Forkin’ Around in Maughold

The Isle of Man’s most prestigious wiggly showdown returns this Wednesday as Maughold Parish Social Club hosts its legendary worm charming competition.

Kicking off at 2.30pm from Maughold Church Hall, the event invites locals and curious onlookers to try their hand at coaxing worms from the soil using nothing but a garden fork.

No digging allowed, just good, honest wiggling.

Instead of using tools to dig, people use things like tapping the ground, playing music, or vibrating the soil to trick the worms into thinking it’s raining or that a predator (like a mole) is nearby.

When the worms sense this, they come up to the surface, and that’s when you ‘charm’ them out.

It’s £3 per plot to enter, and prizes are on offer for the most worms charmed.

Tea and cakes will follow in the church hall, as is tradition, because worm-whispering is hungry work.

Gef’s pal Adrian Darbyshire still brags about his historic win a few years ago, when he charmed an impressive 37 worms in under an hour. ‘The worms respected me,’ he claims.

Maughold church hosts its annual worm charming championship – pictured are Jackie and Adrian Darbyshire

Whether you’re a seasoned worm fiddler or a first-time twitcher, all are welcome. Bring a fork, bring your charm, and prepare for the great unearthing of 2025.