Hundreds turn out at Avenham Park for egg rolling tradition

Photo: David Hurst
Crowds at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event. — Photo: David Hurst Crowds at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event.

The famous event took place as once again eggs big and small were sent tumbling down the hills to mark a tradition that dates back to the 1860s.

The popular event, which this year even featured in BBC’s Countryfile, saw a bumper programme of activities keep visitors entertained.

Easter egg rolling 150 years ago

Photo: David Hurst
2 year old Emme and 4 year old Isla Fisher of Farington Moss at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event. — Photo: David Hurst 2 year old Emme and 4 year old Isla Fisher of Farington Moss at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event.

Egg rolling took place every hour from 11.30am until 2.30pm as families brought their own eggs to roll down the hill of the park.

Leader of Preston Council, Peter Rankin said yesterday’s event was the busiest he’d seen in years.

He said: “There was so many people there and I can’t remember it being quite as popular as it was this year.

“There were lots of children having a great time and it’s a very unusual tradition you don’t see many other places.

Photo: David Hurst
These little Minnions can't get enouggh chocolate at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event. They are, Alice and William Thompson of Preston — Photo: David Hurst These little Minnions can't get enouggh chocolate at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event. They are, Alice and William Thompson of Preston

“It’s a free day out in the beautiful Avenham Park and rolling eggs down hills - how can you not have fun?”

Coun Salim Desai, who represents the city centre on Preston Council, said: “It really is a great event and it brings people from different communities and backgrounds together.

“There’s lots of events for all the family and it gets youngsters down the park - which is a gem in the city.

“I think this just shows the brilliant things this city can put on when it wants to.”

Photo: David Hurst
Eggs are for eating for, from left, Benjamin Maddocks, James and Olivia Bourne and Alice and William Thompson, at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event. — Photo: David Hurst Eggs are for eating for, from left, Benjamin Maddocks, James and Olivia Bourne and Alice and William Thompson, at the Avenham Park Easter Egg Rolling event.

As well as the traditional egg rolling, a host of other activities were also help throughout the afternoon. An Easter bonnet workshop and competition was held throughout the afternoon and there was the Big Eggsperiment organised by Mad Science, where children dressed up eggs and took park in mad cap experiments.

There were many other events which kept the large crowds entertained including songs by Gandini Juggling, Ear Trumpets by Gobbledegook Theatre, Kit and Caboodle by Thingumajig Theatre and Vegetable Nannies by Plungebloom.