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 | Warwickshire Photo Gallery | | |
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Atherstone Ball Game - This famous ball game has kicked off in the town centre every Shrove Tuesday since the 13th Century. Not even wars could stop it going ahead!
The game sees hundreds of participants charging through the town trying to be the last man standing with the giant water-filled ball after two hours.
The ball, made by the famous manufacturers Gilbert of Rugby, weighs a mighty four pounds and has four ribbons attached, one in red, one blue, one white and one gold. Participants struggle to gather a ribbon each and receive a prize if they're ribbon holders at the end of the game.
The main prize though is the ball itself and the game can frequently turn into an extremely physical encounter with a series of scrummages taking place as the game progresses.
No one knows exactly where the ball game comes from - whether it came from border disputes or as a challenge between young men from different areas - but the tradition remains and is only one of two such events that survives today.
It is a no-holds-barred contest, and players are not precluded from any tactic necessary to get hold of the ball. It pays to be of stern stuff if you want to take part! For further details contact Atherstone Library on 01827 712 395.
Photographer - Corporate Image, North Warwickshire Borough Council
Date - Summer 2005
Location - Atherstone Town Centre |
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