PHOTOGRAPHS, mementos and a host of Shrovetide balls were just part of an exhibition held at Ashbourne Town Hall to mark the annual game.
Organised by Tim Baker and Trilby Shaw, the five-day event encompassed almost a century of the history of the ancient Royal Shrovetide Football.
The exhibition included balls from other ancient street football games, as well as a film documenting games of the past.
Mr Baker told the News Telegraph: “I was sitting on such a big collection of Shrovetide artefacts that I’ve nenver displayed. Trilby and I thought we’d pool our resources to put on a display and raise some money for the Shrovetide committee and players committee.
“We have a whole section of photographs from the 1950s and 60s dedicated to Arthur Froggatt because many are from a private collection held by his grandson.
“We’ve got archive pictures from the Ashbourne News Telegraph and we’ve also got a collection of Shrovetide balls, including the five oldest in existence dating from 1883.
“We also have examples of balls from other games at Kirkwall in Orkney, Wirkington in Cumbria, Sedgefield in County Durham, Atherstone in Warwickshire and Jedburgh in the borders of Scotland.
“This is the first time, we believe, these have been exhibited.”
The exhibition included photographs and memorabilia lent from scores of people in the town as well as items loaned by the Shrovetide committee and Ashbourne Town Council.
A Vespa scooter emblazoned with Shrovetide photographs was loaned to the exhibition by owner Alan Brown, while the painting of HRH Prince Charles held aloft in Dig Street from 2003 when the Prince of Wales turned up the ball, was also on display.
Students at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School helped advertise the event by creating a large mural which was positioned near the town hall entrance during the run of the exhibition.
Mrs Shaw added: “ We wish to thank all who helped in making the exhibition a success by loaning items or stewarding.
“Especial thanks to Mary Dear for her little Shrovetide biscuits in the shape of players and for providing much appreciated tea and coffee and to Jonthan Whyte for always being there.”
