Not for the faint hearted - as city businesses discover as they ‘volunteer’ staff for the annual eve of Eel Day throwing championships

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

A large crowd turned up in the city centre not simply to watch but to be persuaded - mainly by friends and colleagues - to take part.

As usual it is the throwing and taking part that is vital - even though visitors did ponder what the 'eels' being hurled with vigour across the market were actually made from.

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Perplexed or not those in the know recognised that no animals were injured in what turned out to be a competitive field of entrants.

Winning thrower - who was introduced simply as Stan - took the adulation of the crowd as Tracey Harding, the tourism manager, revealed the results of her adjudication.

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel throwing done and dusted Mayor Mike Rouse was on hand to help with the presentations and encourage visitors to stay on for the real thing the following day; which of course many did.

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Prize giving time as the city businesses eel throwing championship results are announced. Picture; VISIT ELY (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Eel Day 2019 - the day before has traditionally the time when the city businesses come out to play. And play they did as dozens took part in their own eel throwing championship. Here's what happened, Picture: MIKE ROUSE/ARCHANT (Image: Archant)