Driffield: Centuries-old street treat scramble takes place

Traders throw sweets to children in a tradition that dates back to the 1800s

Children in Driffield have taken part in the annual new year "scramble" in the town's streets.

Since the 1800s, youngsters in the East Yorkshire town have enjoyed scrambling for sweets and money as part of New Year celebrations.

The children, led by local dignitaries, walk through the main street from shop to shop, chanting a rhyme.

The town's mayor Gillian Helliwell described the scenes as "bedlam", but added it had been a "fantastic" day.

'Unique tradition'

She said the children would be returning home with "dirty knees" and scuffed shoes, but also lots of sweets.

"Even the adults go mad," she added.

According to the town council, it is generally acknowledged that the tradition is unique to Driffield.

Shopkeepers would throw hot pennies and oranges. Now it tends to be sweets.

One mother whose son was taking part told BBC Look North they had been up since about 05:00 GMT.

"He was really excited," she said.

Children take part in the annual new year 'scramble' for sweets and money in the town's streets

The event is featured in the first edition of the Driffield Times, dated 3 January 1860, and continued to thrive until 1974, when New Year's Day was declared a bank holiday and many shops and businesses closed.

After reaching a low point in 1995, it was revived by the town council's heritage committee and is usually held on 2 January each year, with the children meeting in the station yard before making their way around the town.

According to tradition, before children receive their treats they must recite a special rhyme: "Here we are at oor toon end - A shoulder o' mutton and a croon ti spend - Are we downhearted? No! Will we win? - Yes!"

The chant is thought to survive from the days when traders used to visit the outskirts of the town and distribute gifts to the crowd to drum up trade.