Chelsea Pensioner Crowned Conker King At World Championships

A Chelsea Pensioner has been crowned "conker king" at this year's World Conker Championships.

John Riley, (pictured watching fellow Chelsea Pensioner Ray Pearson above) who has not played conkers who 70 years, battled through several rounds and beat off male competitors from 14 countries to the title. 

Hundreds of conker kings and queens, including five other Chelsea Pensioners, descended on the village of Southwick, Peterborough, for the annual competition.

The "conker Queen" was Julie Freeman and she narrowly beat the 85-year-old former soldier to take the title of overall world champion.

Ms Freeman was last year's women's champion but came back to take top prize at the 2017 event.

Mr Riley's fellow Chelsea Pensioner friend Ray Pearson, 81, also managed a first-round win in the competition.

Fresh from his victory, he said: "Like all battles in all wars you always want to win.

"But like I always say to my grandchildren: no-one can win if you don't play."

Mr Pearson, who works as the editor of Tricorne Magazine at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said the day offered the chance for some "great British fun" and welcomed the money the championships raised to help the visually impaired, saying:

"People are supporting it, and if it raises money for the blind too, then so much the better."

Despite the friendly array of stalls drink stands to keep people occupied between matches, the competition isn't without its hazards.

Organiser St John Burkett, 57, who has been arranging and participating in the event for more than 20 years, said poor technique can often lead to aching limbs.

His pro tip for avoiding injury: strike at an angle.

He said: "Don't do a hard downward stroke, because the conker will almost certainly swing down and hit you in the arm!

"You're probably better aiming from the side."