Take care of those Celtic Wedding Bands
In Orkney, designer engagement rings and Celtic wedding bands usually are effectively locked away behind barricades throughout Festive period. Why are we taking this stance, you might ask? We really do not want our designer engagement rings and other fine jewellery goods like Celtic Wedding bands, falling prey to a very fierce sporting fixture which will take place today.
Fairly recently on an Orkney jewellery website we blogged in regards to the annual mass football game named the Ba’ (ball) which happens to be played in Kirkwall, commencing just opposite St. Magnus Cathedral. Normally the game is played on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but this christmas the game is going to be fought on Boxing Day and January 2nd. Because of this men and boys who play the Ball game will spend Christmas Day with their members of the family for a change. The rules say the game should never possibly be played out on a Sunday.
We say ‘fought’ the Ball as it’s a highly fought for game involving hundreds of players who take over the streets at the heart of Kirkwall. There are two main sides: the Uppies and in addition the Doonies; the names reportedly taken from Old Norse given that the activity might have been played way back to Viking times. Joining a team will depend the place you were born, or where in Orkney you arrived when you first visited. Names of the teams are shortened modifications of the Norse phrases Up the Gates or Down the Gates.
Designer Engagement Rings Under Lock and Key
To win, the team must definitely score a goal by getting the cork and leather ball to its assigned goal, which varies. The Uppies have got to take theirs away from the sea while the Doonies have a water goal in the sea or harbour basin. In the past the Doonies simply had to truck the Ball, or get it up the mast of a sailing ship.
We have a Men’s as well as Boy’s Ball game played on each day. They might take numerous hours to arrive to their goals. Women previously used to take an active part during games but it really was way back on Christmas Day 1945 that there was last a Women’s Ball game.
Mass football games used to be played all across Scotland, nowadays only the Kirkwall Ba’ and a couple of others are played. The Norse played a style of mass football, took it to France,. Centuries later the Normans took it with them to England where it was often played at carnivals. Football might have come to Scotland from France where it had been called La Soule.
But have no fear, our designer engagement rings, Celtic wedding bands and other pieces of exceptional jewellery are safely and securely under lock and key and all windows and doors are barricaded in the town against property damage emanating from the enthusiasm of the eager crowds. This isn’t a tranquil period in Kirkwall!
Don’t worry about the aggressive football games, consider searching for something somewhat more refined? Needless to say designer engagement rings may not be appropriate at this time, but if you’re on the lookout for other items of fine jewellery then just click here.