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Leigh Hatts  

Easter Monday: Hare pie scrambling & egg rolling

Heavy rain this morning will probably not dampen spirits at Hallaton in Leicestershire. There are hopes that it might only be drizzle this by this afternoon.

The church is without an incumbent until the end of the month but Area Dean Alison Booker will be there this morning for the Bottle Kicking Service.

She will receive three bottles (small barrels) of beer, two sacks for pies and a basket of penny loaves.

Later the Area Dean will throw portions of hare pie to a crowd outside the church to start the Hare Pie Scramble.

The action then moves to grassy Hare Pie Bank outside the village for another scramble followed by bottle kicking, like a rough rugby game, which can last for some time.

Hallaton’s popular tradition is just one of several linked to Easter Monday.

Egg rolling has taken place in Preston’s Avenham Park since today became a Bank Holiday in 1871.

The custom, which in the late 20th century saw children rolling chocolate rather than hard boiled eggs, has recently seen increased numbers taking part.

The weather is likely to be even worse in Preston which may affect the number of families going out.

Preston’s egg rolling

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