Hundreds of Nigels celebrate name at pub gathering
A ‘Nigel Night’ event held at the Fleece in Bretforton, Worcestershire saw 432 Nigels turn up to celebrate the name - which is nearing extinction according to experts.
The event - held on Saturday 28 September - was the first time a record had been attempted for a gathering of Nigels, not an official Guinness World Record category.
Licensee Nigel Smith told The Morning Advertiser he was "quite happy for it be an unofficial record".
He said: "Really it was about people chatting to each other, meeting new people, coming together and celebrating something. Having a bit of fun in a way that perhaps in these difficult times is a bit lacking in life.
"I think it really made me think of the fact of what the Great British pub is all about, coming together, having a laugh, meeting people you've never met before and falling into conversation.
He added: "We got people who were car workers from Dagenham, we had university professors, all manner of different people, all happening to talk to each other just because they happened to be called Nigel and celebrating the fact."
Pubgoers with the name had to prove it with a form of ID in order to receive a drink and ‘Nigel badge’.
Pubgoers could choose from a selection of drinks that were named for the occasion, including a scrumpy cider called Narky Nigel and four specially-brewed ales called: Nigel, NigAle, Mad Nigel and Nigel's Best.
A town crier announced events to pubgoers, with a singer, busker and comedian named Nigel performing to crowds of more than 1,500.
As well as attendees from all over the world, the event was also attended by Nigel Huddleston, local MP for Mid Worcestershire, who tweeted congratulations to the pub.
Congratulations Nigel Smith landlord of @TheFleeceInn#Bretforton#Worcestershire for organising the record breaking gathering of Nigels at #NigelNight this evening. People came from all over the UK and as far as Australia! pic.twitter.com/M6JvTqg7uF
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) September 28, 2019
Inspiration for the event came from research that showed the name was falling out of favour.
The event description stated: “With Nigel’s becoming extinct (no babies were named Nigel in the last National Statistics report, but let’s face it, that’s not too surprising!) we felt we ought to have a gathering of fellow Nigel’s – before it’s too late!”
The site was shortlisted for this year’s Great British Pub Awards in the Best Local category.
