Yorkshire couple embark on yearlong ‘weird weekends’ adventure, from gurning in Cumbria to scarecrow festivals in the Dales

Millie Douce, 31, and her partner, Greg Nuttall, 33, are no strangers to adventure as throughout 2024, the couple from Sherburn in Elmet are embarking on a year-long journey of "weird weekends," attending quirky, offbeat events and destinations around the UK.

For Millie, a digital content executive, and Greg, a backend developer, this project offers them a unique way to make memories while saving up for their dream trip to Japan.

Millie told The Yorkshire Post: "We decided that instead of going abroad this year, we'd do something different. Life is short, and you’ve got to have fun while you can.”

Their plan is to take on one weird weekend a month, dedicated to exploring the unusual, the strange, and the downright weird.

And while they've already explored a few curious corners of Yorkshire, their most recent adventure took them beyond the county's borders to the historic Egremont Crab Fair in Cumbria - home of the World Gurning Championship.

The Egremont Crab Fair, established in 1267, is one of the oldest fairs in the world, and it’s renowned for its quirky traditions, particularly the World Gurning Championship.

Gurning, for those unfamiliar, is a contest in which participants make exaggerated, often grotesque, facial expressions while framed by a horse collar.

While it may seem like an eccentric choice, Millie’s background in travel content meant the fair had been on her radar for a while.

She said: "I used to work in the travel sector and had written about the Crab Fair before. It sounded right up our street, and we fancied a break in the Lakes.”

But what pushed Millie to actually take to the stage and compete in the gurning herself was a supportive moment of sisterhood.

"I was chatting with a woman in the audience who was also pondering giving it a go. We rallied each other to sign up for the women’s event," she added. “In a world where women are often pitted against each other, we need to have each other's backs and have fun.”

The day was full of surprises, with gurning just one of many unusual competitions.

From horn blowing to local traditions, the couple found themselves immersed in the playful and historic spirit of the fair.

While the World Gurning Championship might have been their most bizarre weekend so far, the couple has already explored a number of unique attractions closer to home.

Yorkshire has no shortage of oddities, and Millie and Greg have embraced them fully.

Their adventures have taken them to Whitby Natural History Museum, the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park in Ripon, and the charming Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, which left a particular impression on Greg.

"Greg grew up in South Africa, so he hadn’t experienced a traditional scarecrow festival before," Millie said. "We laughed the whole day. The scarecrows were so well thought out, some funny, some just downright strange."

And their quirky tour of Yorkshire isn't over yet. The couple has plans to visit the Victorian Museum of Science in Whitby and the Leeds Discovery Centre.

For Millie and Greg, these weird weekends are more than just a hobby—they’re a way to embrace life's quirks and enjoy the little things together.

Whether it's marvelling at intricately designed scarecrows, taxidermy animals in Whitby, or pulling the strangest face possible on a stage in front of hundreds of spectators, Millie believes in making the most of every opportunity.

She said: "Life’s too short not to have a laugh. We’re saving for our big trip to Japan, but these weekends have been a great way to break away from the routine and try something completely new each month."