Countdown begins as little stars of tomorrow come out to play for Atherstone Ball Game's 2020 contest
By Nick Hudson
19th Feb 2020 | Local News
A worldwide audience has come to admire the great players Atherstone Ball Game has thrown up since it took centre stage on Shrove Tuesday in the year 1199.
So it was fitting that a week-long, whistle-stop 'signing' tour of the town and villages should end at a place from where you can expect future recruits for the ancient event to undoubtedly come.
Ball game secretary Janneen Bernard dropped in to Mancetter's Little Stars nursery to get sight of tomorrow's talent, probably available in 2030 at the earliest.
Her scouting exercise did not disappoint as the youngsters from birth age to five years old at the Old Farm Road nursery showed off their enthusiasm for the giant leather ball.
"One or two showed promise," quipped 40-year-old Janneen as she left the main playroom at the nursery which now boasts more than 100 children on its books after launching 11 years ago.
The staff eagerly joined in the promotional tour by the event secretary which began last week at St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary and saw the ball plastered with signatures across Atherstone at Bracebridge Court residential home in Friary Road, Outwoods Primary School, Queen Elizabeth Academy and the Over 50s meet at St Benedict's in Owen Street.
"It's been well received," added Janneen.
Now the countdown begins in earnest with just six days to go before brute force, speed, agility and guile of the competitors for two heart-thumping hours will determine the winners of the 821st contest.
Game on . . . and it's over to Atherstone Conservative Club for a grandstand view just before the event gets underway on Tuesday, February 25 at 3pm.
To view more images of the tour, click on the arrows either side of the main picture above the story and follow the white dots.
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