Does anyone know if children play conkers here in France?  My husband has been teaching our eight year old grandson to play and he's marching happily round the house, conker drawn ready to joust tomorrow. I hope he is not going to be disappointed.

Judging by the heaps of uncollected conkers one can see I'd say he's going to be disappointed. When I talked about the game of conkers to some kids in quatrieme they had certainly never played.

Now's his chance to introduce an old British custom to his friends.

Don't forget his safety helmet, goggles and gloves!!!!!!! Third-party insurance would also be good.

I know someone who was called in to the school and told off, because his son had tried to introduce this dangerous and messy game.

The head took the view that this was undesirable behaviour, and was not amused.

I hope your grandson doesn't get into trouble because of Grandad's behaviour!

Alan

Oh dear!  Well it looks as if he is going to be disappointed then.  Don't tell me elf and safety is raising it's officious little head in France as well?  I was really hated by my male school mates as I was the stuff of nightmares.  A girl who could conk with the best of them.  I had a fifty sixer and in my dreams, It could have achieved a century, except my miserable sister stamped on it.  I suppose that redesigning her dolly'shairdo had something to do with it.  I've reported to young James and he just shrugged, I think he prefers his Bley blade spinning tops.

Yes, sorry James.

As visitors and guests in this great country, we have to accept that introduction of foreign ideas, however fun they are, may not go down well with the locals.

Sadly, conkers is just too easy for grownups to disapprove of.

They play conkers at my daughters school but at the moment its marbles that are back in fashion..My son now in 4eme played alot od conkers when he was still in primaire..Sarah bee (Chaunay)