NIGELS from around the world gathered at The Fleece Inn, Bretforton on Saturday (September 20) for a grand gathering of people with that name.
Nigel Night, previously held in 2019 and 2022, made a glorious return to the Fleece Inn in an attempt to break the world record 434 Nigels in the same place.
They came from as far afield as Australia and the USA, and as well as bonding with other Nigels, attendees enjoyed a few pints and entertainment in the form of a quiz, live music from a variety of musicians, including local six-piece legends the Lockdown Layabouts.
Nigel Smith and friends were busy making plans for Nigel Night at The Fleece. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3925004MMR
Despite some inclement weather, more than 400 turned up, with the youngest aged 30 months and the oldest born in 1944.
One of the attendees was Nigel Imbush from Warwick. He came with six friends and was one of the musicians, called Nigel, who entertained the large crowd that had gathered in a marquee in the pub’s orchard.
He had previously come to both previous gatherings and told the Observer: “It’s been a brilliant night and a great opportunity for Nigels to all come great together and be Nigels.”
He said that this year he had met a lot of new people who shared his name, including one from Lincoln, Kent, Northampton, London, and had really enjoyed going around chatting to people.
He came because of the combined draw of the historic National Trust-owned Fleece Inn and Nigel Smith, its bon vivant landlord.
“When there was an announcement that there had been no one christened Nigels for the last two years, it motivated me to come.
“Normally, we hide our name under a bushel,” he added. “Nobody wants to know a Nigel, really. Here is a night where we can all come together and celebrate.”
Everyone who was called Nigel got a Nigel badge and a free pint on proof of their name.
With Nigels becoming extinct with no babies bearing that name in the recent National Statistics report, Nigel Smith felt like he ought to get another gathering of Nigels before it is too late.
“This is all about celebrating the joyfulness of being called Nigel. About nine years ago someone gave me the daft idea of getting together Nigels before we depart the planet and here we are.
“It has grown into an immense festival where we have had 401 Nigels turning up tonight.
“We are very happy with that and it makes a good base for 2028, when we’ll do it all again,” he said.
