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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?.
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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.
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.
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!
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. The Characteristics of surviving ethnic sports & why they survive…
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. Characteristics (cont)
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