Ball Game is on rocky ground

[Madhatter]

Game is on rocky ground
EXCLUSIVE by MORT BIRCH
ORGANISERS have warned that a North Warwickshire tradition that stretches back into the mists of time is in jeopardy.
For more than eight centuries theAtherstone Ball Game, one of the country’s most ancient events, has taken place in the streets of the town on Shrove Tuesday.
But funeral director David Evans said: “We are going ahead with it, but this year will be the make or break of it and the real test as to whether it will continue.”
Funding is needed to pay for legal work to cover health and safety issues and stewards and volunteers to help on the day: “We need as much support of the town or it will be in jeopardy after 812 years,” said David Evans.
“We don’t want to lose the Ball Game, but it has been a nightmare. A lot of hard work has already gone into it, but we desperately need help, both financially from sponsors from the manpower point of view.”
He and his brother Nigel Evans of MG Evans Funeral Directors, solicitor Kevin Gardner and businessman Rob Bernard have set up a limited company to meet all of the health and safety liabilities.
“We have to pay legal fees for things such as road closures and traffic diversion assessments and other requirements,” said David Evans.
“It is absolutely crazy when you consider how many centuries the ball game has been running, but we have to operate within modern- day health and safety rules.”

more ... www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Game-is-on-rocky-ground-26012012.htm

[Madhatter]

Does anyone know what this traffic diversion assessment is ? Why do we need an assessment? its the same diversion that's used for every event every year .

[Madhatter]

still confused as to what the Health and safety problems were that put the game in jeopardy . As far as I know there's no new legislation come in since the end of November and Dickens never had a problem.

[Madhatter]

ORGANISERS of a North Warwickshire tradition that began in the Middle Ages have made their own slice of history.
For the first time in more than eight centuries a set of rules has been drawn up for the Atherstone Ball Game.
Geoff Wilding, spokesman for the Ball Game Committee, said: “As far as we know there have never been any rules before and the game is 812 years old.
“But the rules are very basic and simple, they are nothing sensational, but it felt it was time some were drawn up.”
A new committee has been formed to run the Shrove Tuesday event, which dates from the reign of King John and the beginning of the 13th century.
“They have decided to tie up as many loose ends as they can because of increasing health and safety considerations,” said Mr Wilding.
It has also decided to make this year `special’ because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The winner has always kept the ribbon that is attached to the ball and usually gets £10, but Mr Wilding said: “A diamond jubilee ribbon is to be attached to the ball as well and whoever manages to get that will receive £15.”
Local companies have also been invited to enter teams in a Pancake Race before the ball is thrown out from a window of Barclays Bank in Long Street.
Funeral directors David and Nigel Evans, solicitor Kevin Gardner and businessman Rob Bernard have set up a limited company to meet modernday health and safety regulations.
They stepped in to save the Ball Game after the previous committee resigned en bloc, but chairman David Evans has warned that the future of the event is in doubt unless they get more help from the town.
He has appealed for sponsors to help with increasing financial costs and more volunteers to help out on the day: “We have asked former winners and anyone else prepared to help to come forward and act as stewards and marshals and we have had a good response so far,” he said.
The Ball Game rules state that it should extend from the Regal Court flats in the east of Long Street to the Atherstone Memorial Hall at the other end and take place between 3pm and 5pm.
If the ball is taken outside those parameters, or taken before the 5pm finish, whoever is responsible will be persecuted.
The ball must be kicked as far as each boundary at least twice during the afternoon and a klazon will sound at 5pm to end the game and declare the winner.
If the klaxon is sounded before 5pm it will be for safety reasons and the game will be halted immediately until the problem is resolved.
This year’s Ball Game is on Tuesday, February 21 and anyone who can help or contribute in any way is urged to call David Evans on 07989 443 028.

www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Ball-games-rules-first-03022012.htm

I hate to say it but those rules have been in place for years as I'm sure H would confirm if asked, The klaxon is also on last years risk assessment

[ht]

You are quite correct Mad hatter,The Rules of the Ball Game have been laid down for a number of years, They were last updated by the Committee on Friday 5th January 2007, This was to include the sounding of the klaxon early on safety grounds. These rules can be found on what we called our dissclamer notice, a copy of which was given to every property on Long Street at least one week before the game.
Cheers (H).
ps. All the best to the committee, well done for taking it over, hope you can keep it going, Have a great game.

[Madhatter]

Was good to see you down there H