| Where: | Ely, Cambridgeshire on the East Lawn behind the Cathedral |
| When: | A Friday in May (formerly Saturday before May Day Bank Holiday) |
| Time: | 3.45-4pm approx. after School Prizegiving |
The origins of the Hoop Trundle lie in the reign of Henry VIII when Kings School was founded in 1541; Bluff King Hal apparently allowed the pupils to play games in the Cathedral grounds, including bowling hoops, and the Hoop Trundle takes place in memory of this. Traditional coopered hoops are bowled along by the pupils, who wear their gowns for the competition and use wooden sticks to propel their hoops along the grass. Winners receive wooden tankards and the glory of being champion trundlers! The date and timing for the event have varied somewhat over recent years but as there is now no Saturday schooling, it has moved from a Saturday to Fridays.
Helpful Hints
Though the races are for Kings & Queens Scholars only, all are welcome to watch and cheer them on.
In 2024 it was on Friday 24th May- 2025 date is yet to be announced.
Click here for the School website and select the news section for details of the Trundle: http://www.kingsely.org
Many thanks to Ross Parish for telling me about this event – click here for his first hand account : http://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/2014/05/31/custom-revived-ely-hoop-trundle/
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