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| Nemo dives for cover – it’s the annual Atherstone Ball Game! |
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 | The Atherstone ball game is one of the oldest traditions in the country – the game has taken place every single Shrove Tuesday for 805 years! Where did this tradition come from? Was it border disputes or territory challenges between young men? No one knows – but it remains one of only a few events of its kind that survives today.
Nemo decided that this year it would invite some of their key suppliers, who arrived to share in the fun and brave the cold weather waiting amongst the crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ball.
Referees were in place to ensure fair play - but take note - when the ball is heading your way, run and take cover! It was at this point that Nemo and guests fled the advancing roaring crowd, making a hasty retreat to the nearby upper office window to view the antics from a safe distance!
Some suppliers risked life and limb to photograph the event and some excellent pictures were captured. With nibbles and refreshments on offer, any scuffs received were soon forgotten!
Hundreds of people gather to watch this spectacular and often violent, two hour event with participants attempting to grab hold of the heavy leather ball whilst struggling to collect ribbons attached to the ball – each ribbon worth a prize. The winner is the person holding the weighty 4lb ball at the end of the game, who also wins a prize and is allowed to keep the ball.
Nemo and guests survived unscathed to tell the tale and await next year’s invitation with anticipation! Attend if you dare…………… |
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Nemo Office Style, 125b Long Street, Atherstone,
Warwickshire CV9 1AB
Telephone: 01827 721 100
Fax: 01827 721 109 |
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