Struggles to retain the ball during the last moments of the Atherstone Ball game. A tradition dating back to the 12th century.

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Struggles to retain the ball during the last moments of the Atherstone Ball game. A tradition dating back to the 12th Atherstone Ball game is an event which has taken place every Shrove Tuesday since the 12th century through the main streets of Atherstone. The ‘ball’ is specially made for the occasion and is thrown into the streets by a sporting or show business personality after gold coins have been thrown out to children waiting below. The likes of Tommy Lawton, Ken Dodd and Larry Grayson have had the pleasure of starting the game, and the winner is the person in possession of the ball when the klaxon sounds at 5pm.

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Size: 3959px × 2828px
Location: Long Street, Atherstone, North warwickshire, England, UK
Photo credit: © David Warren / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 12th, 2019, atherstone, ball, century, country, customs, fighting, game, retaining, shrove, struggles, tradition, traditional, traditions, tuesday