In the midst of Storm Ellen, the town of Ashbourne is preparing for one of the world’s most unusual football games – Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide.
Thousands of people turn up every year, but for those who have never been before here are the top five things to wear to make sure you’re prepared for the unpredictable February weather.
- Layers
No matter what the weather, it’s wise to layer up.
As a Shrovetide spectator, you’ll be outside for the majority of the day, so it’s best to prepare for the worst weather conditions then if there’s a sudden change you can just take off a few layers.
- Coat
Having a warm coat is a must.
And you’ll need a hood, seeing as there is always a slight chance of rain at this time of year.
A waterproof coat would be a good choice of outerwear and preferably something with pockets, so you don’t have to carry a lot around.
- Old and flat shoes
Wearing your brand-new white trainers or block heeled boots if you’re going to be standing in mud all day, is never a good idea.
Opt for old shoes that you wouldn’t mind getting ruined.
Stick with a pair of old shoes from the back of your wardrobe that are comfortable and can last the whole day.
Either this or a sturdy pair of wellies to cut out the chance of muddy feet is a much safer option.
- Thermal clothes
Popping a thermal top or even thermal socks on underneath your layers will be beneficial when you’re spending a lot of time standing round either waiting for the game to start or following the game around.
- Hat, scarf and gloves
Nobody wants cold hands or ears, it’s best to be wrapped up even if you feel like you’re dressing for a snow day, the temperatures will be low enough to ruin your day if you’re not well-prepared.
