Twelfth Day

Hundreds have turned out to take part in an ancient rugby-style game involving rival villagers after a two-year break during the pandemic.

The annual Haxey Hood game Between pubs in the North Lincolnshire villages of Haxey and Westwoodside dates back to the 14Th Century .

It involves large crowds of people facing off in a mass scrum to push a leather Tube - known as the Hood.

Covid restrictions meant it could not take place in 2021 and 2022.

The Game begins with the ceremonial fool, this year portrayed by James Chatwin, delivering a speech while A Bonfire is lit behind him covering him in smoke.

The Hood is then thrown into The Crowd and rival teams compete to get it to their pub, however no-one is allowed to run with the hood and they are not allowed to throw it.

" It's brilliant, " said Lord of the Hood Bill Coggan.

" It brings The Villages together.

" It does what Christmas and New Year doesn't, everyone comes back for the Hood, they come from all over The World back to see family. "

The victorious pub is allowed to display the 3ft (1m) hood for the rest of the year, in 2020 it was The Kings Arms in Haxey .

" It's a big thing for The Villages and for the pubs, " said landlord Jim Pinder.

" Everyone comes back to the winning pub so if you get the Hood you've got a Big Night . "

However, this year's victorious pub was the Loco, also in Haxey .

Source of news: bbc.com