Here’s all the times you need for this year’s hand ba’ games in Jedburgh, Hobkirk, Ancrum and Denholm

Hundreds of Borderers will take to the streets of Jedburgh, Ancrum, Hobkirk and Denholm in the coming weeks for the region’s traditional hand ba’ games.
By Kathryn Wylie
Published 18th Feb 2020, 14:45 BST
Stephen Turnbull jumping like a spring lamb during last year's Ancrum hand ba'.Stephen Turnbull jumping like a spring lamb during last year's Ancrum hand ba'.
Stephen Turnbull jumping like a spring lamb during last year's Ancrum hand ba'.

The annual games will see streets cleared and shops boarded up as uppies and doonies smuggle, throw and carry leather ba’s through the streets in the name of tradition.

The first game takes place in Hobkirk next Monday, February 24, with the first ba’ going up at 4pm.

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That is followed by the largest of the games taking place in Jedburgh on Thursday, February 27, with the boys’ ba’ starting at noon with the throwing up of the first ba’.

The first ba’ for the men’s game will be thrown up at 2pm, and it will carry on until the last ba’ is hailed that evening.

There the uppies will be hoping for victory after last year’s losses to the doonies for a second year running in both boys’ and men’s games.

Ancrum’s game takes place on Saturday, February 29, with the boys’ ba’ starting at 11am and the men’s at 1pm, both from the village green.

Denholm follows suit on Monday, March 2, with the first ba’ up at around 4pm.