The inaugural Teston Bridge Kite Festival Pooh-Sticks Challenge

You are cordially invited to take part in the inaugural Teston Bridge Kite Festival Pooh-Sticks Challenge.

Taking place at 5.30pm on Saturday 7^th August 2010 (weather permitting), Pooh-Sticks will be launched into the river Medway from Teston Lock. The winning stick will be the first stick to get to the far side of Teston Bridge, as judged by the judges who will be in the river at that point.

You are invited to take part in either the Standard Category or the Specialist Category (or both). The winner of each category will receive a trophy, runners up and third place will probably be fobbed off with some old tat.

Standard Category (Standard Pooh-Sticks) Sticks can be pre-ordered from the organiser or bought on the day up until ten minutes before they all get chucked in the river. Sticks will cost 50p, or three for one pound. There is no limit as to how many sticks a participant can buy. Sticks are to be clearly labelled with the name of the stick owner. Sticks will be chucked off Teston Lock at 5pm (ish) The first stick to get to the far side of Teston Bridge will be the winner, as judged by the judges who will be in the river at that point. The judges’ decision is final, and any whingers or gripers will be told to shut their racket

“Specialist” Category (Specialised Pooh-Sticks) Any object may be entered as a Pooh-Stick in this category. The rules for this category are as for the Standard Category, with the following provisos: Any number of objects can be entered per participant; there will be a fee of 50p per object, or three objects for one pound. The object must be identified as a participating object before the commencement of the race. Participants can’t claim the first bit of tat to reach the finishing line as theirs The object must not have any form of propulsion, such as paddles, sails, propellers, people pulling the thing with ropes, etc

If not to be reclaimed by the owner, the object must be biodegradable. Race staff will not be responsible for the retrieval of objects (but could possibly be bribed to do so) The object must be of such a size and mass that it can be thrown into the river with the rest of the Pooh-Sticks It is the responsibility of the object’s sponsor to inform the judges at the winning line when their entry is approaching, so that the judges do not mistake winning entries for any old bits of rubbish floating down the river.

All proceeds will be donated to charity. These rules are subject to change and amendment as the more devious participants find loopholes in them……