Seagull impersonating champ says seabirds are ‘misunderstood’

By James Connolly

Britain's newly crowned champion seagull impersonator has insisted the birds are "much misunderstood."

Trish Clemit, 59, was crowned overall winner of the 2026 Seagull Festival Championships in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, at the weekend.

Twenty-two adult competitors were each given one minute to impress the judges at Britain's biggest competition of its kind.

She said: "I love seagulls, I think they're really funny. They have never nicked anything precious of mine."

The full-time caregiver saw off her rivals with a call she has perfected over 51 years after discovering her unusual talent at Butlins aged eight.

She said: "I was elated beyond belief that I won.

"I've been doing the impression for a long time now. I've finally got the recognition."

Mom-of-two Trish, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, has been imitating the seaside birds since childhood and loves their character.

She said: "I think they're really cheeky.

"I like the way they swoop down and sit next to people when they're eating chips.

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"It's also the association with the seaside and holidays."

Describing her winning technique, she said: "It's quite physical. I have to contort my face.

"Sometimes, it even gives me a bit of a headache — that's how dedicated I am to my art."

The contest took place at Weston Museum and was divided into categories for under-12s and over-12s.

Viral sensation Cooper Wallace, known as "Seagull Boy," returned to judge the competitors as the festival also hosted gull-themed games and seagull-inspired Morris dancing.

Trish admitted she had not expected the quirky competition to feel quite so intense.

She said: "It was quite surreal, really. I'd never done anything like that before.

"I was quite nervous, but it was really exciting and it felt like a real competition. It was a lot more serious than I thought."

Explaining the secret to an authentic call, she said: "A lot of seagull impersonators go for a low pitch, but I try to go from a low pitch to a high pitch with a bit of a warble.

"It's like throwing your voice. But I don't fully know how I've actually developed the skill."

She now plans to mark her 60th birthday by taking her talents abroad and competing in Belgium.