CELEBRATING ASHBOURNE ROYAL SHROVETIDE FOOTBALL

The Shrovetide Souvenir Postcards Collection
2015: Remembering The Great War

The Great War (1914-1918) cast its shadow over all aspects of life – including the Shrovetide Football game in 1915, when the balls were patriotically painted with the portraits of Lord Kitchener and Admiral Jellicoe.

Many of Ashbourne’s young men had joined C Company of the 6th Sherwood Foresters. They arrived in France in February 1915, including 75 men from Ashbourne.

In 1916, the people of Ashbourne sent a Shrovetide Ball to the men of the Company - who commandeered the village of Sus Saint Leger (near Amiens, France) for their game - in grateful recognition of their great sacrifice. 115 men from Ashbourne laid down their lives in the Great War.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (1 John 3:16)

As we vow never to forget the heroic sacrifice of those who gave their lives in war, similarly we must not forget the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He died because he loved us, so we may know forgiveness of our sins, new life and hope of heaven.

You are very welcome to come along to Ashbourne Baptist Church to find out more, or to ask questions. We meet at 10.25am and 5.55pm every Sunday, at the Empire Ballroom, Ashbourne (at the entrance to Sainsbury's car park).