We're proud to be playing a part again as Royal Shrovetide returns to Ashbourne today and tomorrow.
A reminder to steer clear of the town on both days unless you're involved in the game or spectating!
The Shrovetide ball will be the "guest of honour" at today's luncheons - hosted by our Ashbourne Leisure Centre for a 13th year - leaving the centre at 1.45pm and being paraded to the starting plinth in the District Council's Shaw Croft car park for the 2pm start.
It has taken the leisure centre's Freedom Leisure team, Shrovetide Committee and caterers several days to set up the main hall. More than 1,200 people will be served a three-course lunch across the two days.
While the town sleeps tomorrow morning our Clean & Green team will descend at around 6am to collect litter and tidy up to ensure Ashbourne looks spick and span for the second day's play between the Up'ards and Down'ards - and the clean up will happen again first thing on Thursday.
Photo: Anna Paxton
