Traditional Haxey Hood contest cancelled over coronavirus fears

The annual Haxey Hood, which has been taking place for almost 700 years, has been cancelled for 2021 due to coronavirus.
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The traditional event usually sees thousands of people descend on the village of Haxey as its villagers contest with those from neighbouring Westwoodside in a bid to take control of the prized leather hood.

The competition, which dates from 1359, is normally contested between regulars from pubs in the two villages.

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It takes place on January 6 every year – the twelfth day of Christmas – and sees the competitors take part in the ‘sway hood’: a large scrum to try and carry the leather baton – or hood – to one of the pubs involved.

The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

However the much-loved tradition will not go ahead in 2021.

In a statement the organisers said: “Following latest government advice on the Coronavirus situation and Phil's (the lords) discussions and consultation with local authorities

“Haxey Hood on the 6th January 2021 has been cancelled and will not be taking place

“We hope to see you all on 6th January 2022.”

The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The Haxey Hood has been cancelled for 2021. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The game's origins are said to stem from an incident when while riding over hill which separates Haxey from Westwoodside, Lady De Mowbray, the wife of a local landowner, lost her riding hood to the wind.

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A group of farmworkers gave chase but the man who picked it up was too shy to hand it back, passing it to another man.

She said the man who handed it over had acted like a Lord, while the one who chose not to had acted like a Fool, helping to create the tale behind the ancient game.

The Fool leads proceedings and gives the traditional speech outlining the rules before the sway hood begins. They do this from the mounting stone in front of Haxey Church before the Smoking The Fool ceremony where damp straw is set on fire behind them.

The Fool also leads the Hood's popular pre-game chant, “oose agen hoose, toon agen toon, if a man meets a man, knock '˜im doon, but don't '’ot ‘im,' which translates as '˜house against house, town against town, if a man meets a man, knock him down but don't hurt him.'

The game always takes place on January 6, unless the date falls on a Sunday.