This is a cache hidden in the area of the "Hug" memorial for Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football. The "Hug" is an abstract-style statue depicting three players in the game. This cache could be treated as a cache and dash as it is near to a parking area.
Royal Shrovetide football is one of the last surviving examples of medieval football and is played in Ashbourne each Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday between 2pm and 10pm. The goals are three miles apart along the Henmore Brook. The ball is thrown up from a plinth in Shaw Croft car park Ashbourne and the two goals are the Up’ards goal at Sturston and the Down’ards goal at Clifton. You are Down’ard if you were born on the south side of the Brook and an Up’ard if you were born on the north side of the brook. Anyone can take part. Over the years a number of royalty, national personalities and local personalities have started the game. In 2003 The Prince of Wales started the game.
The aim of the game is to get the “football” a large decorated ball stuffed with cork, to your goal and knock it three times against the goal. This is not as easy as it sounds as hundreds of people take part in the game and often it might only move a few hundred feet in a couple of hours. Traditionally Shrovetide football is said to be a game without rules, although in fact the organising committee does ask for rules of common sense to prevail, urging care to be taken to avoid damage of any kind. Certain areas including the churchyard and cemetery are out of bounds and it is also forbidden to carry the ball other than on foot.
Once the ball is in play it is a free for all and anyone not taking part has to be on constant guard. It is advised that no one parks their car in Ashbourne town centre on these days, all the shops windows are barricaded up and the schools closed.
The people of Ashbourne are very proud of Shrovetide Football and in 2008 this memorial to this ancient game was unveiled. Caches have also been placed near to the “Up’ards” goal and at the “Down’ards” goal.
This cache is a small container. Please bring your own pen. There is no space for any TB’s or any other items.