The Survival of Traditional Sports & Festivals in Britain. Mr. Leighton Sport and Culture.

What do you think of?  Morris dancers?  Toe wrestlers?  Pancake racers?  Wife carriers? –What about hanging up mistletoe? –Going to a Halloween party? –Eating hot crossed buns at Easter?

The British Isles are rich in surviving festivals &customs.  Many are linked to the seasons & the rhythm of country life.  Many are medieval or pagan(religious) In origin, as the country itself came from tribal societies.  They did, however draw criticism and attack for reasons such as… –The reformation (which took power from the church to the crown) –The second world war, followed by modern technology improving. – Concern over danger to participants.

 Activities such as;  Tossing the caber  Throwing the hammer  Putting the stone  Foot (fell) running  Wrestling  The festivals also involve bagpipe music, drinking & sword dancing They are grand social occasions as well as a display of athleticism in keeping with the needs of a hardy lifestyle & sometimes severe conditions.They are grand social occasions as well as a display of athleticism in keeping with the needs of a hardy lifestyle & sometimes severe conditions. The Highland Games.

Some other examples…  Cheese Rolling- done on Coopers Hill in Gloucester- it happens every spring bank holiday and is now a major attraction for spectators and the media. The cheese rolls at around 70mph!  Clip...

Robert Dovers’ Cotswold Olympics  A multi-sport occasion established during the reign of James 1 in 1605 & was annual until hooligan behaviour disrupted it.  The events included throwing the sledgehammer, sword fighting and wrestling.  Revived in 1963 it still continues today… including shin kicking!

The Characteristics of surviving ethnic sports & why they survive…  Local  Traditional – celebrates the past  Social – very imp soc occasion  Ritualistic – frequent, evidence of medieval ritual in costume etc.  Occasional/annual – a desire to escape from the pressures of modern living & go back to a simple way of life  Tourism – always popular with people initially walking to the festivals, then with technology & transport people flock to watch such events.

Characteristics (cont)  Relatively isolated – the inaccessibility of some rural areas allows local customs to prevail.  Rowdy – traditionally these occasions were associated with drink, singing & celebrations of lower class people- the pub is usually the focal point or the birthplace of some of the games.

Group Project…  In small groups complete a short detailed presentation on one ethnic festival that still exists today. 4 sides maximum that can be used by other members of the class for reference purposes.  Consider the use of PowerPoint to assist you/ worksheet etc.

To help you…  Haxey hood game  Highland games  Lakeland games  Obby Oss festival Padstow  Doggett coat & badge  Hallaton Bottle kicking & hare pie scramble  The Corff Castle game

To help you…  campden.co.uk./doversflyer.htm   ml ml ml  m/features/shrove3.html m/features/shrove3.html m/features/shrove3.html  in/very_british_activities/cheese_rolli ng.htm