It was Bay’s day as he gets standing ovation
AS much as the Up’ards and Down’ards were keen to get their hands on the leather from 2pm, up to that point, the day belonged to Bay.
Bay Spencer, 91, a true Ashburnian, was given a standing ovation at the end of his speech at the Shrove Tuesday luncheon and the sun shone for him and his wife Marguerite as they gazed down on the huge crowd from the Shaw Croft plinth.
Ahead of the turn-up, with his family by his side, Bay told stories from his life, in particular his National Service driving armoured vehicles and Willy’s Jeeps in the Middle East.
It was this experience that nurtured a passion for military vehicles, and led to his purchase of an ex-army Willy’s Jeep which, for more than 20 years, he has been using to help him sell poppies in Victoria Square.
Bay also spoke of his family’s rich history of Shrovetide success, before talking the 500 diners through the designs on his ball, which was painted by Simon Hellaby, and had been passed around the tables ahead of the speech.
Rounding off his speech, he said: “I am sure you are now keen to get on with the game, so I’d just like to finish by thanking the Committee for giving me the honour of turning up the ball. I hope you all have a wonderful day, the same as I’m having.”
Welcoming the 500 diners at the start of the lunch, ahead of Bay’s speech, committee chairman Nigel Brown pointed out that it was 100 years since Shrovetide was given royal assent.
One hundred years ago Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V was sent a ball as a wedding gift on Shrove Tuesday.
On receiving it she enthused about how important it was that Shrovetide was protected for future generations, and played on her anniversary.
She gave it an official approval in a letter, and since then, it has been known as Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football.
Many people wrongly believe it became “Royal” when the Prince of Wales turned up the ball in 1928. It was also 65 years ago since three balls were turned up in a day, all goaled at Clifton.
And it was 50 years since the game was called short at 3pm due to a three-day week and a strike, which was leading to powercuts. It was decided that the game would end as night fell, so people could be home in time.
Some important anniversaries, for a very important day. The day Shrovetide finally returned.