Nerves ahead of start of centuries-old ball game

Chantelle Chetwynd said she was nervous but excited to be chosen to start this year's ball game

A woman picked to start a traditional Shrove Tuesday ball game which dates to the 12th Century said it was "amazing" to be chosen for the role.

Chantelle Chetwynd will begin the annual Atherstone Ball Game on Tuesday and hundreds of people will then grapple in the Warwickshire town's streets for the heavy ball.

Whoever still has the ball in their possession after two hours is crowned the winner.

"It's such a big thing for Atherstone - everybody loves the ball game, it's one of the biggest days of the year," Ms Chetwynd said.

"I'm a little bit nervous but I'm sure it'll be fine on the day."

The medieval game honours a match played between Leicestershire and Warwickshire in 1199 when teams used a bag of gold as a ball, which was won by Warwickshire.

Ms Chetwynd, a former captain of Atherstone Ladies and Nuneaton Borough's women's football team, helps out at the annual game.

In the past she said she was "usually in the background" but this year would "be a little bit different".

Police said they were pleased with how the 2024 game went after the game the year before was plagued with serious injuries

At last year's event, Atherstone-born comedian Josh Pugh threw the special ball from a balcony window to start the game at 15:00 GMT.

The event is run privately by a committee responsible for the safety of those attending.

In 2023, the game was marred as several people suffered nasty injuries and Warwickshire Police issued a safety warning.

Ahead of this year's event, Ch Supt Mike Smith said the force was "generally pleased" with how last year's game was held and they would be supporting this year's.

"Policing the event requires a delicate balance; protecting a historic event that means a lot to the local community whilst holding to account those who use the game as an excuse for criminal violence and vandalism," he added.