The 22nd Championship held on 28th July 2002

Winners
Gold - Ashley Welsh (right)
Silver - James Cowie
Bronze - Nicky Horn

The international sporting fraternity today salutes ASHLEY WELSH, 13 years old, from Kessingland near Lowestoft, 2002 BRITISH OPEN CRABBING CHAMPION. Ashley beat off fierce competition to land a beastie weighing a smidgeon over 3 (three) ounces, well short of the championship record of 7.25 ounces caught during the original event in 1981. Ashley attends Sir John Leman High School in Beccles and when asked for the secrets of the bait used to land his prize he openly revealed that it was a secret! Ashley took home a trophy, a 'gold' medal, £50, a pot of crab paste (every entrant gets one of those) and the accolade of Champion.
Accepting the trophy from TV Personality Caroline Quentin Ashley managed to spray the entire audience with champagne - not an easy feat. (See photo at the end of the report.)
Runner-up, winner of £30 and a 'silver' medal was JAMES COWIE, from Witchford, near Ely. 'Bronze' medal and £20 went to NICKY HORN, 5 years old, from Lowestoft.
There were 584 official entrants (who went home with crab paste) and organisers estimated that there were some 3,000 people were on site. The day was glorious, everyone went home having had a wonderful time (their words not mine folks) and a considerable sum was raised to be shared by The Southwold Hospital and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Robin Buncombe
Vice-president British Crabbing Federation