Jedburgh Hand Ball game known locally as Jethart Ba’ Scotland 1971 or 1972. Two handball games are played usually on Shrove Tuesday and the Thursday after, but it depends when new moon falls after Candlemas! Traditionally the first ever game was played with an Englishman’s head and the ribbons on the ball symbolise his hair. The teams Uppies and Doonies are chosen by where in town. Play is in the town centre starting in the Market Place with the boys or Callants game at 12 and...
more »Jedburgh Hand Ball game known locally as Jethart Ba’ Scotland 1971 or 1972. Two handball games are played usually on Shrove Tuesday and the Thursday after, but it depends when new moon falls after Candlemas! Traditionally the first ever game was played with an Englishman’s head and the ribbons on the ball symbolise his hair. The teams Uppies and Doonies are chosen by where in town. Play is in the town centre starting in the Market Place with the boys or Callants game at 12 and the mens game following at 2; the Uppies goal is outside the Castle Jail and the Doonies goal is at the Pleasaunce, each a couple of hundred yards away from the start. Several balls are thrown and the games can last for hours- expect lots of thrills and spills and scrummaging!
Info thanks to Averil Shepherd.
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