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Schoolkids Revive Ancient Hat Tradition for Haxey Hood Game
4 Jan
Summary
- Children are making hats for the Haxey Hood game, a tradition from the 14th Century.
- The game involves a mass scrum to push a leather tube to a village pub.
- The tradition was inspired by a lady whose hat blew away in the wind centuries ago.
In North Lincolnshire, schoolchildren are breathing new life into the centuries-old Haxey Hood tradition by participating in a hat-making competition. This game, dating back to the 14th Century, sees villagers engage in a mass scrum to move a leather tube, known as the hood, to one of the local pubs.
Organizers approached Westwoodside C of E Academy and Haxey C of E Primary School to reintroduce the hat-making aspect of the game, which had largely faded. This initiative aims to foster community spirit and ensure the tradition's future by engaging the younger generation, who are seen as the next custodians of the Haxey Hood.
The tradition's origins trace back to a story where a lady's silk riding hood was blown away, and farm workers chased it. She rewarded them with land, stipulating the chase be re-enacted annually. This year's hat competition, with judging on Monday, will precede the Haxey Hood game on Tuesday.
