Exhibition highlights hand ba' history home and abroad

The Jedburgh game itself is on Thursday February 11.

The show has been inspired by a trip to France 
last June by six ba’ players, who visited the village of Lascazères on the edge of 
the Pyrenees to participate in their related game of soule.

The game of la soule, or choule, has much in common with the ba’ tradition in the Borders,: both are devoid 
of rules and are played between two teams, without a defined pitch, over a large area of open countryside.

Olivier Got, who grew up in Lascazères and was the organiser of a similar display of photographs and objects there, is bringing some of this material to Scotland to include in the exhibition in Jedburgh.

The exhibition is being put together by a group of volunteers, including some with experience of working in museums.

They are eager to borrow and display a few old handba’s and other interesting items which have a good story behind them.

Anyone who is interested in helping out by lending or donating objects, or who could help with sponsorship, is invited to call Tam Miller on 07966 788494.

The culmination of the week will be an evening of talks and film shows on the Friday evening, featuring experts and clips from both sides of the Channel.

Organiser Hugh Hornby said: ‘There is a growing relationship between ba’ players in Scotland and France and we look forward to celebrating this through the exhibition, some of which will form the basis of a long-overdue permanent collection in the Borders.’

The exhibition is open from 10am on the Wednesday until 12noon on the Saturday. Entry to the exhibition will be free.

For further information contact Hugh Hornby on 07917 311799 or email [email protected]