Ancient tradition 'means everything' to Leicestershire villages

A Leicestershire man who has been running an ancient bottle kicking event for 50 years said it "never ceases to amaze" him.

Phil Allan, chairman of the organising committee, believes the Hallaton Bottle Kicking game is the "oldest continuing sporting event in Britain".

Two teams from the villages of Hallaton and Medbourne compete to move two of three barrels to the opposition's stream.

The event takes place on Easter Monday.

Mr Allan told the BBC: "Legend has it, it's probably been going on for 2,000 years.

"People who come for the first time and see the event just cannot believe how unusual it is.

"The whole area is charged with an electric atmosphere."

The event is preceded by a parade of a hare pie, which is handed out to spectators by the village rector.

Mr Allan added: "It's the biggest single event of the year. Families come back. They'd see it as more important than Christmas.

"It means absolutely everything to the people with family history to the village."

The winning team receives bragging rights for the next 12 months and two barrels filled with beer, while the losing village gets the dummy, the third barrel which contains no beer.

"People can't believe how rough it is," Mr Allan said.

"Of course, there are injuries. Quite often there's some broken legs, collarbones. I guess that's part of the taking part."

The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, but returned in 2022, drawing a crowd of about 8,000 people.

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