British Billy

Billy the Cat (aka British Billy) lives in Elveden, a local village about ten miles from RAF Lakenheath. Billy has been around a bit. He came from a rescue centre and prefers not to dwell on the past. He is proud of his country and its heritage and counts his friends and family as hailing from all corners of the British Isles. He is proud to be a “moggy”. Many of his American friends and admirers ask Billy about the things puzzling them about life and culture in the U.K., and if he doesn’t know the answer, he has ways and means of finding out. Feel free to send him any questions, and when he isn’t sleeping or hunting, he’ll try and put a few thoughts together to help you out.

Conkering - one nut at a time

Conkers are hard brown nuts found in a prickly case that fall from the horse chestnut tree when ripe. A playground favourite in the U.K. for as long as there have been playgrounds and horse chestnut trees, conkers were introduced into Britain in the 1600s. The first recorded game of conkers dates back to 1848 on the Isle of Wight. The origin of the name 'conker' is unclear but it's believed that it comes from the French word 'cogner' meaning to hit. ( Photo by A1C Perry Aston)

Conkering - one nut at a time

Staff Sgt Felicia Welch and Senior Airman Brian Ellis engage in a game of conkers. The game is played between two players taking turns striking their opponent’s conker with their own. The intent is to hit the opponent’s conker as hard as possible, inflicting damage on your opponent.The first recorded game of conkers dates back to 1848 on the Isle of Wight. Conkers are hard brown nuts found in a prickly case that fall from the tree when ripe. The origin of the name 'conker' is unclear but it's believed that it comes from the French word 'cogner' meaning to hit. ( Photo by A1C Perry Aston)

How can I learn to play conkers?

Published Oct. 22, 2009
By British Billy
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH,England -- Ah, Autumn. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. How I love chasing around after the falling leaves and grooming my winter fur into pristine condition. It has come to my attention that some of you are complaining about the shorter days, the rain, the fog and the wind. A game of conkers is just what you need to cheer you up.

Conkers are hard brown nuts found in a prickly case that fall from the horse chestnut tree when ripe. You may know the conker better as the 'buckeye'. A playground favourite in the U.K. for as long as there have been playgrounds and horse chestnut trees, they were introduced into Britain in the 1600s. The origin of the name 'conker' is unclear but it's believed that it comes from the French word 'cogner' meaning to hit. Cats know these things.

Conkers are a bit thin on the ground at the moment due to the leaf miner moth, which has been nibbling its way through many of the horse chestnut trees in the south of the U.K., but they can still be found. Don't confuse them with the sweet chestnut trees, which you will see around the base.

Now is the perfect time to begin your year-long training for the 2010 World Conker Championships, which are held in Northamptonshire, just a couple of hours drive from RAF Lakenheath. Maybe you could get a team together. May I suggest that 'The Lakenheath Nutters' might be a suitable name? Highlight Oct. 10 next year on your calendars.

The noble game of conkers is played between two people taking turns striking their opponent's conker with their own. The intent is to hit the opposing conker as hard as possible, inflicting damage on your opponent - or at least the conker. This all sounds so easy, but there is great skill required in order to develop the optimum strike and to nurture a supreme conker. Champions guard their secrets closely.

So don't be downcast by the onset of longer, colder nights. Find your conkers and train for victory.

Personally, I will probably just curl up on the rug in front of the fire and dream of mice.

Each to his own.