PHOTOS: Scrambling – A great Driffield tradition returns

After an absence of two years due to COVID, Driffield’s ancient New Year tradition of Scrambling made a welcome return.

Around 80 children and their families, joined Driffield town crier Brian Fairfield and Driffield mayor Cllr Mark Blakeston to make their way through the town as shopkeepers threw festive treats for the children to catch.

Scrambling is a centuries-old custom, which is believed to be unique to Driffield, that involves good-natured begging for festive goodies outside shops and other business premises.

As the horde of scramblers made their way up Driffield’s main street they chant the ancient verse:
“Here we are at oor toon end, A shoolder o’ mutton and a croon ti spend. Are we downhearted? – No! Will we win? – Yes!”.

This chant is thought to survive from the days when itinerant traders used to visit the outskirts of the town and distribute gifts to the crowd to promote trade.

It is thought that townspeople would take items to barter such as a shoulder of mutton or cash – a crown or ‘croon’ to spend.

Excited children held their hands aloft as shopkeepers threw coins, sweets and even toys for the children to collect.

Ten-year-old Myles Douglas said he had enjoyed taking part for the first time.

He said: “It is really fun to do because you get sweets and toys and you sing rhymes with people.
“I think it is a good tradition.”

Fellow Scrambler Louie Green said: “I like the fact that you get sweets and some money and it is special because it only happens in Driffield. I am pleased it has come back after a break of two years.”

His mum Claire added: “It is so unique to Driffield and it is about families and children getting out and having fun and doing something that only really happens here. I think it is really important that it keeps going.”

Scrambling wouldn’t be able to keep going without the support of the dozens of shops and businesses that participate every year.

George Riggs from The Bell Hotel has been throwing sweets out to the children of Driffield for 47 years. He and his wife Rita said it is a fantastic Driffield tradition and they love being involved every year.
Rita said: “It must go on forever. It is brilliant.

“We have had people walking past and asking what is going on and I have explained to them and they think it is fantastic.

“We love taking part and seeing the children’s faces.”

Traditionally the Scrambling route ends on Victoria Road at The Royal Oak pub, where landlord Ted Elvidge always has a good selection of coins and sweets to throw out to the children.

He said: “I used to go Scrambling when I was a kid and I was five when I started and that was 70 years ago.

“It is tradition that we are the last port of call for the route and I love taking part. I love seeing the kids’ faces and this year the turnout has been one of the biggest for a long time.”

Driffield mayor Mark Blakeston thanked all those who had supported this year’s Scrambling and who had played their part in keeping this ancient tradition alive.

He said: “I am so pleased Scrambling has returned this year. It is a unique tradition to Driffield and important that we keep it going.

“What makes it so special is the history which spans back a couple of hundred years and also that it is about the community and about people coming out and getting involved.

“For the town it is good that we have traditions like this that keep gong and also that new ones evolve such as the Croom Mable birthday walk which took place on New Year’s Day, which hopefully will still be going in 200 years.

“Our thanks go to the fantastic range of independent shops on Driffield’s high street that take part and get involved because without their support it wouldn’t happen.”