GRUNING THE WORLD OVER

The Gurning competition was a big hit at the

2006 Revels Summer Solstice Celebration.

Start practicing for next year!!

According to  Wikipedia a gurn is a distorted facial expression, and a verb to describe the process. The term is derived from the word for the fish with a rather comical expression, called the gurnard. A typical gurn involves projecting the lower jaw as far forward and up as possible, and covering the upper lip with the lower lip.

Gurning contests are a rural English tradition and are still held in villages. However, the World Gurning Championship is held annually in Egremont, Cumbria. Gurners have also sometimes appeared as a part of travelling sideshows and freakshows. Those with the greatest Gurn capabilities are those with no teeth as this provides greater room to move the jaw father up and in some cases the elderly or unfortunate can be capable of spectacular gurns covering the entire nose.

Well-known living gurners today include Jim Carrey and Rowan Atkinson, who combine their face-making skills with acting to make a career.

BBC pictures of the 2004 World Gurning Championship -- Our Gurner's compare very "favorably"!

In Cumbria they have a monthly Gurning Contest. Vote for your favorite on-line.