A Dorset knob is a kind of hard, dry, savoury biscuit from Dorset which is very crumbly and has the consistency of very dry stale bread or rusks. They are roughly 5 cm square and 4 cm high and weigh about 25 g.
Description Dorset knobs are made from bread dough enriched with extra sugar and butter. They are rolled and shaped by hand, and baked three times.
They are named after their shape's resemblance to Dorset knob buttons, but have also been compared, in size, to door knobs.
Dorset knobs are typically eaten with cheese (for example, Dorset Blue Vinney). Dorset knobs were said by his parlour maid to have been a favourite food of local author Thomas Hardy. As they are so hard, they are also eaten by first soaking them in sweet tea.
History
In the past there were a number of producers of Dorset knobs. Today the only firm to produce them commercially is Moores Biscuits, which used to be sited in Morcombelake, four miles west of Bridport in the west of the county of Dorset in England, but has now moved into Bridport itself. The Moores family have baked biscuits in Dorset since before 1860. The bakery was established in 1880 by Samuel Moores and manufactures a variety of traditional biscuits in addition to the Dorset knob. Dorset knobs are only produced during the months of January and February. They are normally sold in a distinctive and traditional tin.
Dorset knob throwing The practice of Dorset knob throwing began in 2008 at a festival in the Dorset village of Cattistock, inspired by a Yorkshire pudding throwing game that the organiser had seen on television.
The competition was for a while held every year on the first Sunday in May. The record throw of was set in 2019. Other events at the festival included a knob and spoon race, knob darts, knob painting and guess the weight of the knob. The competition venue was Cattistock from 2008 to 2016. Then in 2017, it moved from Cattistock to Kingston Maurward House, about 12 miles away. The event was cancelled in 2018, and there was a plan to make it a biennial event from 2019. In 2024, the event was again held at the Cattistock Countryside Show, near Chilfrome.
The knobs must be thrown underarm with a straight arm. The throw is measured from where the knobs finish rolling and not from where they hit the ground.
+Winners of Knob Throwing ChampionshipYearSeriesMen's championDistance (m)Women's championDistance (m)Under 12sDistance (m)20081stUnknown 22.8Leah Stewart (1)20092ndPhillip German-Ribon26.1Leah Stewart (2)20.2Solo Roper (1)18.520103rdJack Guitor25.4Leah Stewart (3)16.75Solo Roper (2)16.620114th20125thDave Phillips29.4Kelda McNeill26.45Max Nuttall22.5520136thKevin Pembroke25.6Christina Marshall19.6Lewis Bowen18.020147thDave Morrison21.820158thPatrick Lisoire23.7Alice Cowen19.0Jack Courtier-Dutton18.020169thDaniel Guest201710thPete Asher22.70Catrin Vaughan18.65Samuel Chinchen16.402018Event Not Held (knob supply issues)201911thJames Vincent-Smith31.92020Event Not Held (COVID-19)2021Event Not Held (COVID-19)2022Event Not Held (outgrown the village's capacity)2023Event Not Held (outgrown the village's capacity)202412th202513thRob Dansey32.05Helen Pidduck21.0Munjo24.6 +Multiple Winners Champion Wins 3 2
References
External links Moores Biscuits Dorset knob throwing website