From – LincsOnline 4th November 2024
Maggot racing tours venues in Lincolnshire and beyond to raise money for T.S. Jaguar Sea Cadets
A Fulbeck couple has been bringing their racing entertainment — but not the kind you’d think — for more than 35 years.
Barrie Butler and his wife June moved from High Wycombe to the village in 2018, where Barrie launched his Private Hire business — BB Travel Fulbeck — rather than retire from his career as a coach driver.
But it’s not just BB Travel that keep Barrie busy, but also his fundraising enterprise — maggot racing, which they run in order to raise money for TS Jaguar, Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets (High Wycombe)
The venture came about over 35 years ago, when Barrie was on holiday, he went to a social club where he saw a man with a little board with maggots, selling tickets for £1 for people to bet on them racing, which inspired him to set up his own enterprise.
Having had close ties with T.S. Jaguar Sea Cadets for many years fundraising, he decided it was time to introduce Maggots on Tour to Lincolnshire and beyond for anyone who is looking for a really good family fun adventure.
He built his own six-lane track which is projected onto a 120″ screen so that everyone can see the racing without having to stand over it to see,
The 75-year-old said: “The maggots are so unpredictable, you never know what they will do, they can go right up to the finish line, turn around, and come back, or even decide to go on strike and not race at all.
“It is similar to horse racing videos on TV events, but much more fun to watch as you never know who will happen in all the races.
In real horse racing there’s cheating, we all know that, but you can’t cheat with maggots because you just don’t know what they’ll do.”
The race’s event format includes six booths opened prior to the start of every race, where guests can buy as many £1 tickets from any booths and bet on hopefully the winning maggot.
There are six races plus the sellers’ plate, with all the winners from the previous six races race against each other.
The six race winners are auctioned off to the highest bidders, be it a syndicate of punters or individuals to own their own maggot for the final race (Sellers Plate)
All monies collected from the auction (less 50% going to charity and administration costs) go to the owner/s of the winner of the Sellers Plate, which depending on the auction can be very profitable.
Barrie added: “I enjoy it very much; I like the fun of seeing people’s faces as their maggot behaves.
“I always try to get everyone involved in cheering for the maggots, whatever name, we try and give them names of people, common people names and we get them all shouting.
“I tell people I’ve been reported to the RSPM, who are Royal Society Protection of Maggots.
“I try and make the best fun out of it so that people get a great night.”
Maggots on Tour can be hired for events to do events in pubs, village halls and private events by contacting Barrie on 07484 326337.