#weird britain

[nocnitsa]

[keepbritainweird]

Overtoun Bridge

As you approach Overtoun Bridge, a Category-B listed structure leading to Overtoun House in Dunbartonshire, Scotland, you will see signs exclaiming “DANGEROUS BRIDGE: KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEAD”.

Since 2005, media attention has grown significantly, with reports that a significant number of dogs have leapt from the side of the bridge to their deaths in seemingly unexplained circumstances.

Paranormal investigators have attributed these events to a history of supernatural activity around the area of the bridge, which they believe can be sensed by dogs.

Canine behavioural experts however dispute this, and have explained that the unfortunate deaths are most-likely caused by nearby scents of minks and other animals, combined with the fact that the severe drop at the side of the bridge cannot be fully perceived by small dogs.

Tragically, in 1994 the bridge was the site of a murder and attempted suicide, when a man threw his two-week old son over the side of the bridge as he believed the child was possessed by the devil. The man subsequently jumped from the bridge himself, and then slashed his own wrists, but survived the attempt to take his own life.

[nocnitsa]

Greenwoman

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Henry Bourne- photo from Arcadia Britannica series

[keepbritainweird]

The Atherstone Ball Game

Every year on Shrove Tuesday in the town of Atherstone, Warwickshire, England, a traditional ball game takes place. In the days and hours leading up to the event, local business and residents of the central Long Street board up their windows in preparation for the game. At 3pm, a large specially made football is dropped from a second-floor window into the crowd below. The ball is passed and kicked around, with the gathered crowd of players and spectators encouraged to have a kick of the ball. At around 4pm, the game becomes serious with groups competing to have control of the ball, and it is not unusual to see blood spilled as punches are thrown between the competitors. Whoever has hold of the ball when the whistle blows at 5pm wins.

A tradition dating back to 1199, the game has changed somewhat throughout the years, but the two basic rules remain the same: 1) Do not take the ball away from Long Street.

2) Do not kill any other players.

[naonicblog2]

Weird Britain: 10 glorious oddities to visit and marvel at — Guardian US

Eccentric public art, strange ruins, eerie landscapes, follies … Britain has a rich store of curiosities. An enthusiast selects 10 of the qu