Pub landlord trying to stop Britain becoming Nigel-free stages festival for men with the name – and nearly 400 turned up from as far away as US, Zimbabwe and Nicaragua

• Nigel Smith, 59, hosted Nige-fest at the Fleece Inn in Worcestershire last night
• 372 Nigels turned up – just shy of the record-breaking 432 who joined in 2019
• Musicians called Nigel performed and people signed the ‘book of Nigel’ 
• Nigels flew in from Texas and Florida for the Nigel-themed entertainment 

A pub landlord attempting to stop Britain from running out of Nigels staged a festival for men with the name – and almost 400 turned up from as far away as the US, Zimbabwe and Nicaragua.

Nigel Smith, 59, held ‘Nige-fest’ last night – and saw 372 Nigels turn up for an evening of Nigel-themed refreshment. 

The entertainment was provided by musicians called Nigel, and attendees brought photo ID and signed the ‘the book of Nigel’ kept at the Fleece Inn in Bretforton, Worcestershire.

Nigel came up with the idea after the name became officially extinct according to new birth records in 2016 and 2020.

Hosting Nigel said: ‘It was absolutely brilliant. We had a fantastic time.

Last night’s ‘Nige-fest’ – a festival for people called Nigel – saw 372 Nigels turn up at the Fleece Inn in Worcestershire for a pint

Pub landlord Nigel Smith, 59, hosted Nigel night after becoming worried the name would die out

Left to right Nigel Smith, Nigel Smith, Nigel Smith and Nigel Smith pose for a photo at Nigel night

‘It was like we all had known each other forever, but obviously we didn’t. It was a great feeling of all of us getting together and celebrating our Nigel-ness.

‘Times are pretty difficult at the moment for many of us so it was great to be able to get together for a party. We just had a jolly fine time.’

The landlord broke the world record for the largest gathering of Nigels after 432 joined him for a pint in 2019.

He was hoping to break his own record last night – but narrowly missed with a total of 372 Nigels.

The landlord broke the world record for the largest gathering of Nigels after 432 joined him for a pint in 2019

The entertainment was provided by musicians called Nigel, and attendees brought photo ID and signed the ‘the book of Nigel’ (pictured)

Last night saw Nigels from across the world ‘celebrate their Nigel-ness’. Here Nigel and Nigel pose for a photograph

Nigel said 5,000 Nigels were born in 1963, his birth year but no new Nigels were registered in 2020, causing him to worry about the future of the name. 

He believes it has become so unpopular due to ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage.  

The oldest Nigel in attendance was an 84-year-old who came from America for the event. The youngest Nigel was in his 30s.

They even had a puppy called Nigel join in the celebrations.  

The oldest Nigel in attendance (pictured) was an 84-year-old who came from America for the event

The youngest Nigel was in his 30s: a rare sighting as the name is dying out in younger generations

Others travelled from Los Angeles, Florida and Texas and Nicaragua, Zimbabwe and Spain.

Entertainment was provided by other Nigels – two DJs, an MC, a comedian, a busker, and even a group of Morris dancers all called Nigel as well.

The second ever ‘Nigel Night’ raised more than £3,000 for British Heart Foundation.

Pub landlord Nigel plans to host it again in 2025.

He said: ‘Tradition is something you do twice, that’s the rule, and we shall do it again. I think we’re encouraged enough to say every two to three years, we’ll do it again, definitely.

Nigel night will return for 2025 in another attempt to break the world record for number of Nigels in one place. Pictured: Nigel and Mrs Nigel

The event united Nigels everywhere and was organised for years. Nigel Cains poses for a picture

A variety of Nigels, including a birthday Nigel, pose for a picture with their pints and awards

‘We had people from all over coming to the event. Our friend from Texas – Texas Nigel – came for the second time, only to be joined by another Texas Nigel.

‘One Nigel came from the Isle of Wight so we had to give him an award for the longest-travelled Nigel in the UK.

‘People who came this time heard about us three years ago and put it in their diaries.

Some Nigels wore personalised T-shirts for the event and entertainment was also provided by Nigels

‘We were running shuttle buses from our local town and hotels so that all the Nigels who had travelled were able to get here and perhaps enjoy a beer or two and not have to drive home.

‘We had a 14-week-old puppy called Nigel as well, which was nice – but he didn’t say very much!

‘We are uniting Nigels from all across the world, and we would like to reach out to and invite all Nigels – and all non-Nigels – to come along and join us next time in 2025.’

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