The Main Event: Carnival of the Strange

Roll up, roll up! For one day only, the county’s very-own roller derby team, the Lincolnshire Bombers, will be hosting a Carnival of the Strange in an attempt to introduce themselves to the local community.


For those not in the know, roller derby, in its current incarnation, is a full contact sport which originated in America.

Two teams put forward a “pack” of skaters, who skate around an oval track together. Each team has a “jammer”, who must aim to lap the opposing pack. Points are scored for each member of the opposition to be lapped, providing a foul is not committed.

The other skaters in the pack must try stop the opposing jammer, whilst simultaneously helping their own.

There’s a unique image and lifestyle that goes along with roller derby. The standard uniform is fishnet tights and short skirts, and skaters are encouraged to pick nicknames for themselves to be used instead of their real names. These nicknames are often puns or aggressive sounding names. For example, the Lincolnshire Bombers have She’za Payne and Minx A’Matosis to name but a couple.

However, the uniform and alternative lifestyle often associated with roller derby is not a mandatory requirement.

The Lincolnshire Bomber’s Carnival of the Strange will allow members of the public to experience roller derby first hand, and see for themselves the physicality and athleticism involved.

There will be two roller derby bouts this is the proper term for a roller derby contest on the day. The first bout will feature two teams made up of skaters from the Lincolnshire Bombers, as well as guest skaters from across the country, as Las Nina Muertas take on Children of the Damned.

In addition, there will be a men’s roller derby bout, which will be the first of its kind ever in the UK.

Anna Thomas, a 28 year-old mother-of-two, is a member of the Lincolnshire Bombers, and played in their first ever bout earlier this year on September 5.

Going under the roller derby nickname Synyster Motives, Anna explains that you don’t necessarily have to be athletic or sporty to get involved with roller derby.

“I was worried about joining, as I’m not the sort of person who would usually play sports,” she says.

“However, it was never an issue. I was hooked from the beginning.

“I hadn’t skated in a long time, and was very out of shape, but everyone was very welcoming and encouraging. Now I have my own nickname, and play as number 23.

“Despite the sometimes on-track aggression, roller derby is a community, and teams often help each other out across the country.

“Within the team, we all socialise together, as well as work together at events like the Carnival of the Strange. We have all become like a family.”

There will also be various other forms of family-friendly entertainment on the day, such as burlesque, circus performers, and live music from the likes of Misty’s Big Adventure and local band Phoenician.

The Carnival of the Strange itself will be a fundraiser, to help raise money to support training and further events. However, some of the proceeds will be donated to Lincoln’s Nomad Trust.

IN THE KNOW

where: George Stephenson Pavilion at Newark Showground
when: Saturday, November 21, doors open at 1pm
tickets: Tickets cost £7, whilst entrance for under 10s is free
booking: For ticket information and availability, visit www.lincolnshire-bombers.com