Ashbourne’s annual Royal Shrovetide football match takes place on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday  - for many people in Ashbourne, the two most important days of the year!  Our local town is rightly proud of its very traditional ‘all-in’ football match where the Up’ards (those born north of the Henmore river) battle against the Down’ards (those born south of the river).  The goals, two stone mill wheels in the river, are three miles apart.  A goal is scored by touching a mill wheel three times with the large leather painted ball which is wrestled for by the hundreds of people taking part.  The result of the 2009 Shrovetide match was a 1-1 draw, one goal scored by the Down’ards on Tuesday and an equaliser goaled on Wednesday by the Up’ards.  I was delighted to hear that our friend, Robyn Wright, scored the Wednesday goal - an honour for any Ashburnian.  Any visitor to the area at this time should make an effort to see the game - but take care not to get caught in the hug! For further details visit http://www.ashbourne-town.com/events/football.html                                          

Robyn Wright with his Shrovetide ball