Culture And Memory

The Importance of Shrovetide Football to People, Place and Heritage in Ashbourne and Atherstone

Working with the communities of Ashbourne (Derbyshire) and Atherstone (Warwickshire) we will co-create a project that explores the unique heritage of Shrovetide Football, and the meaning to people and place. Dating back to the 12th century, today less than 10 games survive in England and little is known about them. In the two Midlands rural market towns local people play the game annually to ancient and original rules. The games have been historically less visible and/or misunderstood outside the local communities, and little or negligible material can be found in public archives. We will collaborate with the communities in the two towns to identify and gather materials, record lived experiences, memories and imagery and explore themes of participation, pride, class, gender, ritual and place making. Most material is held locally by individuals, as memories, pictures and objects. Our outcomes will include an exhibition and digital archive.