An historic northern pastime is being brought back to Barnsley this Yorkshire Day as enthusiasts stage a Knurr and Spell competition at Thurgoland cricket ground.
Event details and background
The 2026 contest takes place on 1 August, starting at 13:00 BST, and follows the small revival that began with a restart of the tradition in 2024. The relaunch has been led by historian Boz Davison, who also runs Handsworth Museum and has helped publicise the sport across South Yorkshire.
Often described as a cross between golf and cricket, Knurr and Spell was once a familiar sight across moorland and fields in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Players use a small ball — the knurr or potty — which is launched into the air and struck with a handmade stick to send it as far as possible across open ground. In Barnsley the game has been known by several other names, including piggy, Northern Spell and nipsy.
"It's fun - but it's harder than it looks."
From working‑class crowds to a 20th‑century decline
In the 18th and 19th centuries Knurr and Spell drew large crowds and could generate substantial prize money — sums that could be "life‑changing for working‑class men", according to a booklet by Davison. Local pubs and bookmakers benefited from the events, which were community occasions as much as sporting contests.
Participation dropped away during the 1960s and 70s. Davison attributes part of that decline to the game's localised nature: makers would supply sticks and pummel heads only to players within their own areas, making the pastime somewhat insular.
What to expect at Thurgoland
The Yorkshire Day meeting is intended as both a celebration of local heritage and a practical demonstration of the sport. Observers can expect:
- Demonstrations of traditional equipment and hitting technique
- Opportunities for newcomers to try hitting the knurr
- Historic material and commentary from local historians
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Knurr and Spell competition |
| Date | 1 August 2026 |
| Start time | 13:00 BST |
| Location | Thurgoland cricket ground, near Barnsley |
Archive footage exists of the sport being played into the 20th century; organisers have pointed to material such as a 1972 BBC Nationwide segment for those interested in seeing historical coverage.
For Barnsley residents, the revival offers a chance to reconnect with a regional leisure tradition rooted in mining communities and working‑class culture. The event is expected to draw both veteran players and newcomers curious about a game that, while simple in equipment, demands considerable skill.
