Pull The Other One

We noticed a few posters advertising the "Tug of War Association Midlands Area Open Championships",  which was to be held in Alcester, and having nothing else to do, we went to have a look today.
It was really quite exciting, and I couldn't begin to describe the noise with the all cheering and "urging-on". There were various categories for both men and women, based on the combined weight of a team of eight..
We got talking to one of the officials, who was a very pleasant chap, and he gave us a copy of the programme which includes all of the rules, infringements, etc, and a list of all of the Midlands Clubs - and there are hundreds of them. It also included lots of old photos of the sport. I didn't realise how popular it was in the early 1900's, especially amongst women, and was in fact the only strength-test sport that women participated in for many years. 
Great fun was had by all, and our local Councillor was there to cook hotdogs for everyone, which kept them all going.
You can't say that we don't know how to live it up around here!!   
I've put a few "extras in too as I couldn't decide which photo to choose.