The Atherstone Ball Game

[Bob Womack]

Reminds me of the game "Stool Ball" played at Oflag IV-C, Colditz Castle, a prison for incoragable during WWII. British officers played this game in the cobbled prison courtyard. Two goalies sat on stools at opposite ends of the courtyard. Two teams attempted to gain possession of the ball, advance it across the courtyard, and touch the opponent's stool. The opponents were allowed to do anything to prevent you from accomplishing your goal. Well, they couldn't kill you. But this game was extremely good for the mental health of the prisoners because for the duration of the game, the walls of the prison weren't prison walls, they were the borders of their game. The German guards were bemused at the violence of the game.



Bob