The Survival of Traditional Sports

1
The Survival of Traditional Sports Festivals in
Britain.
Mr. Leighton Sport and Culture.
2
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?

3
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.

4
The Highland Games.

• 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.

5
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...

6
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!

7
The Characteristics of surviving ethnic sports
why they survive

• 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.

• Local
• Traditional celebrates the past
• Social very imp soc occasion
• Ritualistic frequent, evidence of medieval
  ritual in costume etc.

8
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.

9
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.

10
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

11
To help you

• www.chipping campden.co.uk./doversflyer.htm
• www.albagames.co.uk
• www.derbyshireuk.net/dcustom4.html
• http//englishculture.allinfoabout.com/features/sh
  rove3.html
• www.visitbritain.com/uk/outdoorbritain/very_britis
  h_activities/cheese_rolling.htm