It’s been one of Maidstone’s most eccentric exports around the world.

This year the World Custard Pie Championships, which started in Coxheath, marks its 50th anniversary. Over the years, many local people have squared up to do battle, armed with nothing but a well-chosen costume, a smile, and a custard pie in their hand.

In the run-up to the big day, founder Mike FitzGerald has pulled together an exhibition of photographs and media coverage through the years. News flashes around the world and local snaps in KM papers have been gathered together, plus memorabilia and the shield, for the one-off exhibition, which will be held in Maidstone this weekend.

Other memories shared include the appearance that never was on Saturday morning children’s TV show Tiswas in the 80s.

This year organisers called on previous teams and entrants to join in with the anniversary celebrations. A total of 34 signed up – a third who have taken part before – and there will be representatives from countries including Japan and Finland, with for the first time, teams from France, getting involved.

Mike said: “It’s been a long time and we’ve had some great fun over the years. We’ve had so much interest and we’ve had teams from across the world. To have them, or some of them, together for this year is absolutely brilliant.”

DETAILS

The Custard Pie Championships exhibition will be held at the Mall Maidstone from Thursday, May 18 to Saturday, May 20, between 9am and 5pm each day. Pudsey will be there to meet young visitors and the free event will be supporting Children In Need.

Visitors can also order a copy of a book compiled by founder Mike FitzGerald, the World Custard Pie Championships: 50 Years in the Media, for £20 at the exhibition.

Entry for this year’s has now closed. They will be held in Coxheath, near Maidstone, on Saturday, June 3, from noon to the trophy presentation at 4.30pm. There will also be a family fun day. For details go to worldcustardpiechampionship.co.uk.

THE CONTEST

The flan-flinging contest pitches teams of four – often in fancy dress – throwing custard pies at each other.

The recipe for the custard, however, has been kept a closely-guarded secret since the very beginning. The event was inspired by Charlie Chaplin and Maidstone’s own popular children’s entertainer Mr Pastry, who lived in Tovil, and advised on a secret formula to produce the finest pies for the annual battle. The gloopy mixture does include flour and water, however, but teams need to be beware as it can dry to the near consistency of concrete.

More than 1,000 teams have squared up to each other with more than 100,000 pies thrown, left handed.

Young Mke FitzGerald was 29 when he started the tradition to raise funds for the village hall. Now 79, the former mayor and councillor, is still part of the organising team.Pies have been propelled at various venues besides Coxheath over the years, including a brief stint at the Kent Showground and Mote Park, but returned to its home village in 2013.

It has been featured in media around the world over the years and has been filmed for TV shows, both in this country and abroad. In 2012, Mike and fellow organiser Brian Mortimer appeared on ITV’s This Morning and supervised a mini championship between presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

The same year comedian Rory McGrath and actor Will Mellor took part and filmed it for a series on eccentric British pastimes. Mike also squared up to take more than 100 pies in the face as part of a world record attempt.