Pub attempts world record for largest gathering of Nigels

A former National Pub & Bar Awards winner is aiming to break its own world record for the largest gathering of individuals called Nigel.

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that during 2016 and 2020, no babies were given the name Nigel.

This prompted Nigel Smith, landlord of The Fleece Inn in Bretforton, Worcestershire, to host a 'Nigel Night' in 2019, which was an event at his pub dedicated to individuals by the name of Nigel, which attracted 434 name sakes.

Two years on, Smith is aiming to go one better by attracting more than 1,000 Nigels to The Fleece Inn on 24 September to show that the English name, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is still going strong.

“We’re already on track to beat our 2019 world record as more than 500 people have booked their place for the evening, which is unbelievable given that we haven’t been proactively promoting it for a while, and shows there is plenty of fight in Nigel yet," says Nigel (pictured with musician Nigel Walton).

“Our first Nigel Night seems to have left a bit of a legacy though, as since then we have had nearly 1,000 Nigels sign ‘the book of Nigel’, which we have behind the bar.

“I’ve researched the name Nigel, and apparently it is associated with darkness, which is perhaps why it is a name that has been on the decline since 1965. However, I’m hoping that as a result of our joyful efforts we will start to see a few more baby Nigels over the coming years!”

Smith is also looking to recruit a team of Morris dancers called Nigel to perform on the evening.

All Nigels attending will get a Nigel badge and free pint on proof of their name, with non-Nigels also welcome. Funds are also being raised for the British Heart Foundation, with hopes of raising around £3,000.

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