‘A very big day’: villagers hail return of first Haxey Hood game since pandemic

Thousands gather as centuries-old rough-and-tumble contest is held for first time since pandemic

In the north Lincolnshire villages of Haxey and Westwoodside, 6 January is bigger than Christmas.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, thousands of villagers have gathered in fields nearby to compete in the Haxey Hood, one of the UK’s most curious traditions – a rough-and-tumble game that dates back to the 14th century.