Held every Pancake Day - commences at 2.30pm when everyone gathers under the Barclays Bank, the traditional starting place of the contest where they are showered with sweets and pennies from the balcony above.  At 3pm the ball is thrown from the window by a selected dignitary. 

The ball weighs a mighty four pounds and is filled with water to prevent it being kicked too far.  Tied to the ball are four ribbons, one in red, one in blue, one white and one gold, and the participants struggle to gather a ribbon each - and ribbon holders get a prize of £10 at the end of the game.  The main prize is the ball itself, and when the final klaxon sounds, the winner of the ball receives a prize and is allowed to keep the ball.