Shrovetide Football at Ashbourne

A photograph entitled 'Shrovetide Football at Ashbourne', taken in February 1952, at the river Henmore, by Bert Abell for the Daily Herald.

A photograph entitled 'Shrovetide Football at Ashbourne', taken in February 1952 by Bert Abell for the Daily Herald.

Shrovetide football in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has taken place annually for hundreds of years. Several thousand residents of Ashbourne compete, divided into two teams - the Up'ards (those who were born on the north side of the Henmore Brook), against the Down'ards (born on the South side).

This photograph shows the Down'ards breaking the Up'ards' hold on the ball, as they fight for possession in River Henmore.