DWILE FLONKING

How odd is odd? Or more accurately, perhaps, how old is old? In the past I have seen written claims that dwile flonking is a quaint and very ancient Norfolk pastime, most obviously and publicly dragged out of the undergrowth for performances at village festivals. Which, if true, would place the ritual in the same sort of odd-ball category as ley lines and flying saucers.
But of course, it is not ancient at all. In fact, dwile flonking is demonstrably modern, having been 'invented' by some thirsty enthusiasts in Beccles in the mid-1960s. Nevertheless, it has helped keep several pubs and breweries in business ever since.
So, rather than place it alongside ley lines, perhaps it should be seen in the same, or similar, category as snail racing and ferret-legging, other honourable pastimes which have entranced Norfolk participants and spectators in the past.
Dwile flonking actually evolved as a charitable stunt and as a means, or excuse, to drink large quantities of beer, something which once caused a worried North Norfolk District Council to at least consider banning it on the grounds that it did indeed encourage excessive drinking. Not a good example to the young, then.
Some say it originated in a Michael Bentine TV programme broadcast in the early 1960s. Which may or may not be true. But in essence, two teams (usually but not necessarily made up of lads) take it in turns to dance around each other while trying to avoid being hit by a beer-soaked dishcloth being twirled around, and finally flung, by another chap in the middle. There is a scoring system, and there is no limit to the amount of alcohol which can be consumed.
More prosiacally dwile flonking, which occasionally pops up on village social calendars - and which once popped up at a public demonstration in New Zealand! - and often pulls in more spectators than it probably deserves, did also introduce a dialect vocabulary, or list of words, into the local dialect: girter, flonker, driveller, swadger, wanton, jobanow and snurd, some of which do actually have a pedigree.
A dwile is Norfolk/Suffolk dialect for a dishcloth. As for flonk, well, a flong is a mould in the printing profession. But these things are ephemeral, and all things pass.
Meanwhile, I see that the Dog Inn at Ludham seems to have taken over the mantle as HQ of the flonkers, and indeed, the Annual Dwile Flonking World Championships are evidently to be held there this coming August. They are still looking for sponsors.
But if you don't believe me, then do ask your favourite search engine for particulars about dwile flonking. Or look it up on http://www.thenorfolkbroads.org/Dwile%20Flonking.html It is all there, including the so-called rules.