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Cairngorms National Park offers sanctuary to English "lawbreakers"!





Henry VIII . . . a brickhouse of an attacker
Henry VIII . . . a brickhouse of an attacker

The Cairngorms National Park is offering a “safe house” to English sports fans who could end up in jail by going for a kick-about on Christmas Day.

VisitCairngorms is inviting people from south of the border to visit the park - and avoid punishment under an ancient English law banning the playing of sports on December 25.

The Holy Days and Fasting Act of 1551 has never been repealed, meaning that anyone who plays any sports in England on Christmas Day is breaking the law. Henry VIII banned all forms of sport, with the exception of archery - so new bikes, footballs, skateboards and other equipment delivered by Santa Claus will have to remain under the tree until Boxing Day.

Mr Kevin Roach, chairman of VisitCairngorms, says local tourism operators will be more than willing to offer help anyone who fears they could be in danger of breaking the law, and is urging sports fans to head north of the border this Christmas.

Mr Roach said: “The Cairngorms National Park is a mecca for outdoors people with hundreds of activities to choose from.

"With skiing, walking, snowboarding, cycling, sailing - the park offers something from everyone. We cannot imagine what it must be like to be banned from testing out a new bike on Christmas morning: the law seems rather cruel.

“When we heard this ancient act had never been repealed we felt so sorry for our English neighbours and the conditions that they are living under, we decided that we should step in to offer them help.

“Visitors have nothing to fear in the Cairngorms National Park – we actively encourage people to get outdoors on December 25 and enjoy taking part in sports in one of the most beautiful settings anywhere in the country.

“Although we’re inviting visitors to come and stay for Christmas, once they see what we have to offer people passionate about being active, I very much doubt that they will want to leave after the festive break.”

The Holy Days and Fasting Act of 1551 was never rescinded, meaning that many quirky laws are still in place in England.

Although sport was banned under the legislation, Henry VIII is understood never to have enforced this as he enjoyed playing football as part of the festive celebrations.

Archery was the only sport allowed under the terms of the legislation – a law passed about a decade before prohibited new sports to avoid the “decay of archery”.

It is believed that leaping and vaulting were added as exceptions to the rules at a later date.

Readers can visit www.visitcairngorms.com to find out more about what’s happening in Scotland’s winter wonderland.


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