Old Game Has Airing (1962)

Title reads: “Old Game Has Airing“. Haxey, Lincolnshire. Ancient game traditionally played by men of village on St John’s Eve. Crowds gather around man in hat covered in greenery, the “Fool“, behind him straw is burning as he makes his speech. C/U the fool being carried on two men’s shoulders, he topples off. G/V crowds walking along road towards camera. Angle shot church spire. G/V the men of the village on the field waiting for the game to begin. C/U of the “Lord“ (older man) throwing a hood, it drops among crowd of men and they start fighting for it. Various shots of men fighting in muddy field for 12 hoods made from sacking - looks like bizarre game of rugby. At end of game a leather hood is thrown into scrum - whoever catches it gets as much beer as he can drink. This part of game is called the “Grand Sway“. Note: booklet about history of game on file. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT’S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINA