Granchester Barrel Races by judithg

Granchester Barrel Races

A Boxing Day tradition in the pretty village of Granchester just outside Cambridge. The first four races are all village teams (mostly pubs) and then the last couple are open to other villages. You have to pay attention as a spectator because the barrels not exactly under control at all times. It was not, for the most part a close run thing - especially the Ladies' race which expose some interesting techniques.
Three GT:
1. Lots of pubs in Granchester
2. Meeting friends and ticking off something which has bbeen on my 'to do' list for a long time.
3. The rest of the crew having a really good time at the West Ham - Arsenal game. They are 'neutral' in terms of support but as Rachel said they were supporting the hammers for safety reasons #inthehomestand
Looks like fun and a good day for it!
December 26th, 2013  
Blimey Judith you look like you are in the rolling line. Well caught. Silly men!!
December 26th, 2013  
@lucypics I was behind the bale-line if there had been a bale! Moved back sharpish at one point.
December 26th, 2013  
Great action shot!
December 26th, 2013  
Cool
December 26th, 2013  
Nothing in the barrel, I presume?
December 26th, 2013  
Good that the old traditions carry on!
December 26th, 2013  
Hee hee what fun! I think that could be quite a hit up here with a distillery down the road!
And loved catching up with your gorgeous Christmas (and Birthday) pictures.
Lovely cake and your Dad looks great!
December 26th, 2013  
Fun shot
December 26th, 2013  
Great capture of the action!
December 26th, 2013  
Now one of those could take your legs from under you... Do they drink them at the end?
December 26th, 2013  
What a great tradition -- and in Grantchester! I've been to the pub in the background, I believe.
December 26th, 2013  
Jo
Nice to see people come together and take part in village activities/traditions, great shot.
December 26th, 2013  
it's a fab pic Judith.....almost timeless as there is not a lot in the image that dates it ..apart from the 'health and safety' guy in the 'high vis' ...i like the lady in the red coat
December 26th, 2013  
Nice tradition.
December 27th, 2013  
Great shot of this famous race. I was invited to the race and lunch afterwards but was cooking for 8 so was tied to the kitchen instead!
December 27th, 2013  
Great fun & sense of local color.
December 27th, 2013  
Great capture of the action.
December 27th, 2013  
How fun, great perspective
December 27th, 2013  
Every so slightly mad. Love it. :)
December 27th, 2013  
What a fun activity. Looks hysterical.
December 27th, 2013  
Wow. Looks wild!
December 27th, 2013  
Love these traditions. I took part in the Stilton Cheese Rolling (teams of 4 in fancy dress) for a couple of years in the early 80's - madness. In the year we won we were awarded a very large chicken - very useful for 4 single blokes :)
December 27th, 2013  
What a fun thing to watch - I imagine it would be a challenge to keep the barrel going straight! Gives a whole new meaning to "barrel racing"
December 27th, 2013  
That looks dangerous, but great fun!
December 28th, 2013  
I have never heard of anything even remotely like that and it sounds and looks like a really cool event.
December 28th, 2013  
Looks entirely dangerous to me! Glad I wasn't a spectator as those barrels appear to be going at break neck speed xx
December 29th, 2013  
Oh, we were there too - but didn't see you! I was the one muttering "they're straw, not hay" every time the commentator warned kids not to sit on the "hay bales" for fear of being knee-capped by a runaway barrel!
December 30th, 2013  
very interesting shot
December 30th, 2013  
JH
Amazing. I do have a soft spot for bizarre traditions.
January 2nd, 2014  
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