Olimpicks Start Today at 2pm, still time and tickets available.

The Robert Dover Cotswold Olimpicks starts today. A brief explanation of Shin Kicking, Whats happening and directions are included in this post. Thank you too all at Cotswold Olimpiks for the information. Visit their website and double check availability of tickets before you travel. Hurry it starts at 2pm.

www.olimpickgames.co.uk

Shin-kicking World Championship!

Shin-kicking has once again become a regular feature of Robert Dover's Olimpick Games, much to the delight of the spectators. Contestants hold each other by the shoulder and try to kick shins and bring opponents to the ground.

A Stickler, the ancient name for our judge, makes sure that shins are hit before a fall can count. Our kickers wear the traditional white smocks associated with shepherds. They are allowed to protect their shins with straw.

The Champion is the winner of the best of three challenges in the final bout, having kicked his way successfully through the early rounds.

2011 Winner: Ben Corfield

The sport dates back to the original Games. The 1636 picture shows shinkicking taking place, probably as the underplay of Cotswold Wrestling. The activity continued through to the 18th century. The poet William Somervile provided a lively account of Hobbinol of the Vale and Pastorel of the Wolds in 1740. In the early 19th century the activity was more brutal, with villages challenging each other, contestants hardening shins with coal hammers and wearing boots tipped with iron. Many a leg was broken!

Directions to Robert Dover's Games

From Stratford-upon-Avon

Take the A3400 towards Shipston and just outside Stratford turn right onto the B4632 signposted to Mickleton and Broadway. After 7 miles drive through Mickleton and at the end of the village turn left onto the B4081 signposted Chipping Campden and follow it until it joins the B4035 Aston Road. If you are heading for the Dover’s Games Car Park after 100 yards, take the first right into Kingcombe Lane and after a mile take the right turn at the cross roads. The entrance to the Car Park will be 50 yards on the right. If you are intending to park in Chipping Campden, after joining the B4035 follow the Aston Road into Chipping Campden. For the School Car Park take the left turn signposted B4081 Shipston into Cidermill Lane and the car park is 50 yards on the left. If the road closures are in place the Shipston turn will be immediately before the signs.


The 2012 Olimpick Games Programme

Friday 1st June

To celebrate our 400th anniversary, the 2012 programme will run from 2pm to midnight. Robert Dover will open the Games in front of his Castle around 7.30pm as usual but there is new entertainment on the hill in the afternoon primarily designed for children but with plenty for adults too.

One of the big highlights of this year's Games will be the world premiere of the Olympic 'Welcome Songs' by Eliza Carthy, Robert Hollingworth, I Fagiolini and a 150 strong choir led by Richard Stephens. This will be preceded by a folk concert at 3.30pm featuring Mawkin, Beth Thornton, Bethany Weimers and the Robbie Boyd Band.

The evening will bring the traditional sporting events like the Shin-Kicking and Tug-of-War and the upper level favourites in the arenas. At 9.45pm the Scuttlebrook Queen lights the beacon, fireworks colour the sky and then there is the moving Torchlight Procession to the Square in Chipping Campden where dancing in the Square concludes the evening at midnight.

REMEMBER YOU CAN COME & GO ALL DAY WITH YOUR WRISTBAND!

BUT NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON THE HILL