A ‘marbleous’ time was had by all

Whereas the 2013 matches took place in freezing conditions and snow showers, this year was blessed with spring sunshine.

The winning team in the ladies matches was The Pilgrim Singers and the winning men’s team was The Battle Cricket club, both new teams to the event.

Each of these teams also scooped the highest score trophies, with Janette Morgan being the winning lady and Joe Carthew being the winning man.

The Battle Cricket Club then went on to win the Dave Cusack Cup as overall champions, emerging victorious in their match against The Pilgrim Singers.

Imagination knew no bounds in the creation of fancy dress outfits, with teams ranging from Tetris to Monopoly Boards, Mr Men, Avengers, Holy Men and Nuns, Keith Lemon and Comic Heroes.

The teams vote amongst themselves for the winning outfits and this year the accolades went to ‘The Battle Axes’ (aka Battle Chamber of Commerce) for the ladies trophy and ‘Monopoly Board’ (The Kings Head) for the men’s trophy, with the runners-up in both being ‘The Mr Men’ from The Senlac Inn.

The Easter Bonnet Parade attracted a record 64 children.

The children, sporting their amazing creations, were led in a parade around the Green by the famous local entertainer Lekiddo, and then all children were rewarded for their efforts with a free Easter Egg.

And to top it all there was the traditional free 1,000 marbles scramble on the Bullring. Mike Corfield, the publican from the Bull at Boreham Street, was playing in the Battle Cognoscenti team and told how as a boy he had taken part in the scramble when the marbles were scattered down the front steps of the Abbey.

This quintessentially local event was made even better with face painting by Debbie and balloon craft by Olivia of Racingsnail, both Battle residents, candy floss by The Battle Muffins and a barbecue by The Battle Bonfire Boyes, all to the backdrop of Rat Pack music from popular Battle musician Ricky Adelaide.

Kay Hunting, who helps organise the event, said: “Thanks go to the team of umpires and helpers, the event organisers Battle Chamber of Commerce and The Battle Muffin Club and Battle Rotary who assist with sponsorship of the event.”