The Lincolnshire Wild West camp where people become cowboys

ONE MAN DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE EVENT FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES DESPITE LIVING FIVE MINUTES AWAY

- BY LAYCIE BECK

TWICE a year an area of Lincolnshire is transformed into the Wild West of the 1800s, with authentic canvas tents, campfire cooking and cowboys.

These events are organised by the British Westerner's Association, which has been running for more than 50 years and claims to be one of the UK's longest running western associations.

However, despite events being held in Fleet Hargate, near Holbeach, since 2005, the organisation says it is surprised each year by how many people have never heard about them before. Eric Hubbert, of Holbeach, lives five minutes away from the site and has been a keen participant since 2022 after he saw a story about it in the newspaper.

Eric said: "I just went to have a look on the Saturday and I had just missed the fast draw, but I still thought, 'wow. I love the Wild West and playing cowboys when I was a kid." The 66-year-old couldn't believe he had been missing out on all the fun for years.

He said: "I was screaming, but I thought I know I have missed out, but it's not too late, what can I do to get into it now." The retiree decided to join the group at the next roundup, which takes place around April and August each year.