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Where to see this year's Cammag and Hunt the Wren

Richard BakerIsle of Man
Manx Scenes Landscape shot of people celebrating Hunt the Wren. People have joined hands and formed a circle around a decorative pole on which the Wren sits.Manx Scenes
The first recorded celebration of Hunt of Wren dates back to the 1720s

The annual return of festive traditions including Hunt the Wren and Cammag have long been a much-loved part of the Christmas period on the Isle of Man.

Hunt the Wren, which dates back to pre-Christian times, celebrates the wren as "king of all birds" as people sing and dance on the street on St Stephen's Day, 26 December.

After that, the annual Cammag match - played between the north and south of the island - will take place in St John's.

The historic sport, said to have "no rules", is played with wooden sticks and a small hockey-sized ball. Before the advent of football on the island, it was commonly played.

Hunt the Wren

Everyone can take part in the annual Hunt the Wren on St Stephen's Day

Port St Mary: 10:00 GMT meet up at the Scoill Phurt-le-Moirrey car park

Douglas: The festivities will start at 10:30 outside the Woodbourne Hotel, with a 10:15 meet up time.

Ramsey: 10:30 outside St Paul's Church

St John's: Before the Cammag players roll in, you can celebrate the Wren at 10:30 in the Arboretum car park

Willaston: 10:45 meet up, opposite The Manor pub in Willaston School's car park

Kirk Michael: 11:00 start time outside The Mitre pub

Ballaugh: Things will start at 11:20 outside The Raven pub

Sulby: 11:40 at the Sulby Glen pub

Culture Vannin Players of Cammag on a field. They're holding wooden hockey-like sticks and follow a small ball.Culture Vannin
The annual Cammag match gives bragging rights to one half of the island

Cammag, the Isle of Man's traditional national sport, draws in large crowds and dozens of participants each year.

Those wishing to part and pick up a Cammag stick can do so on the Tynwald Fairfield.

The game, which starts at 14:00, will be followed by a Manx music session in the Tynwald Inn.

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