The Survival of Traditional Sports & Festivals in Britain. What do you think of?

The Survival of Traditional Sports & Festivals in Britain.

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;

• 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

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.

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…

• www.chipping campden.co.uk./doversflyer.htm

• www.albagames.co.uk

• www.derbyshireuk.net/dcustom4.html

• http://englishculture.allinfoabout.com/features/shrove3.html

• www.visitbritain.com/uk/outdoorbritain/very_british_activities/cheese_rolling.htm