The annual Haxey Hood returns to Lincolnshire
The event is now in it's 666th year
Last updated 6th Jan 2025
Now in its 666th year the Haxey hood is back for 2025.
The annual event will once again see villagers in Haxey compete to push a leather tube known as 'the hood' to one of their chosen pubs.
The Haxey Hood is based on a tale of a noble woman riding through the village when her hood was taken by the wind.
In the tale, 'the fool' picked up the noble woman's hood but felt too nervous to return it to her.
Instead, the 12 other men in the field with him fought over who would return her hood.
She was said to have been so amused by the event that she asked for it to be repeated every year.
It's one of those traditions that it will live on
James Chatwin who plays the fool told us it's an honour to be part of the local history:
"It's a huge honour, I get goosebumps thinking about it and it is a responsibility but I see it as something that's all about the Haxey Hood for me and I love being the fool.
It is about a feel good factor, it's like a big school reunion every year, but we all get together and enjoy the day and enjoy what it's about because its part of local history and we are almost really blessed that we were born into it."
He added:
"It's definitely got a future, absolutely got a future it's one of those traditions that it will live on."
"I have two sons that are thriving about becoming part of it and follow it around week on week."
"It's got a buzz about it, if anything there is possibly too many following it, but that's never a bad thing. "