Hallaton Bottle Kicking Easter Monday 2014

• published: 22 Apr 2014
• views: 758

Two teams of villagers - and a small army of willing volunteers - representing Medbourne and Hallaton fought it out across the fields. By the end of the day, last year's winners Hallaton had claimed victory and the local bragging rights again after dragging two 'bottles' - small wooden ale kegs - over the stream boundary and into their own territory. Their opponents from Medbourne only managed to score with one 'bottle' in the centuries-old contest. Hundreds of people descended on the village for the all-day event which started at 10.30am with a children's parade from Hallaton village green to the local church, St Michael's and All Angels. Parish priest, Rev Richard Curtis, conducted a service in which the three 'bottles' were blessed. He also blessed a hare pie, which was distributed to the waiting crowd outside the church. At about 1.45pm, Hallaton bottle kicking committee treasurer Steve Wickham led the crowd in the main parade from the Fox pub around the village. Battle commenced shortly after 3pm after yet more hare pie was tossed to the eager crowd. Steve said: "The weather was perfect and it was great that the contest went to the final bottle. "It was close, but Hallaton just took the final bottle to win 2-1." Michael Tansey and his wife Lesley, of Thurlaston, took their children James, eight, and Samuel, six, to the event for the first time yesterday. Michael, 48, said: "We have lived in Leicestershire for years but never been to the bottle kicking. "We heard on the radio this morning that it was on today. We looked out of the window and saw it was sunny so we decided to come along." Lesley said: "Being here today is lovely, the atmosphere is great." Robert and Carol Hyde, of Hertfordshire, were taking time out from their Easter holiday to take in the action. Carol, 66, said: "We have seen the bottle kicking before and just love it. "You can't see anything quite like it anywhere else." Robert said: "I think it is a good excuse for a lot of people to have a good old booze up but there seems to be no trouble at all." Terry Gough, of Oakham, took a breather after helping Hallaton push Medbourne down the hill. The 28-year-old said: "I have brought my girlfriend and the kids here for the day out and to allow me to get stuck into the fun bit. I have been coming for a few years and it just gets better and better." Daniel Leslie, of Birmingham, was at his first bottle kicking. The 27-year-old said: "I have never witnessed anything like this. "It is cool to be out in the countryside with so many people just having fun." His girlfriend, Kim Footitt, 26, of Stamford, Lincolnshire, said: "I have been before and wanted to show Daniel this unique event.