Hallaton Bottle Kicking Tradition Kept Alive

Organisers of the historic Hallaton Bottle Kicking kept the tradition alive yesterday, by walking the route with the infamous bottles.

Usually thousands of people would have attended the Easter Monday event – which has a history dating back 2000 years – but because of the pandemic, it was cancelled for the second year running.

Members of the organising committee still wanted the day to be marked, as they hope the contest between Hallaton and Medbourne will return next year.

The event usually attracts a large crowd to watch a massive scrum of people wrestle the mini-kegs of ale over fields and a stream to claim victory in the event ,which has been taking place for hundreds of years.

From left, Steve Wickham, Phil Allan chairman and Harry Hollis set off from the Fox pub in Hallaton on Easter Monday
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

From left, Harry Hollis, Phil Allan chairman and Steve Wickham head towards the bottle kicking battlefield.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

Centre, Phil Allan chairman throws the bottle in the with Harry Hollis and Steve Wickham watching on at the bottle kicking battlefield.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

Finnbar Reilly 5 with help from his dad Cahal Reilly at the butter cross on Easter Monday in Hallaton.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

Hallaton bottle kicking bottles on Easter Monday.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER