Video: Unusual 'egg shackling' tradition takes place at Stoke St Gregory School (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Unusual 'egg shackling' tradition takes place at Stoke St Gregory School
12:37pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Nick Wakefield
Teacher Lisa Daniels and head teacher Barbara Berks officiate the annual tradition in Stoke St Gregory Village Hall
THEY say never to put all your eggs in one basket, but that is precisely the point when it comes to Stoke St Gregory School’s annual tradition of egg shackling.
Teacher Lisa Daniels, who was photographed by the County Gazette egg shackling at the school back in 1990, was joined on stage in the village hall this morning (Friday) by head teacher Barbara Berks to preside over the curious custom, which is thought to date back to the school's foundation in 1857.
Children, parents, teachers and villagers watched with baited breath as eggs branded with the names of each pupil are tossed around in a garden sieve until all but one are broken.
Whichever pupil’s name appears on the only egg left intact is added to a shield trophy for the year and is awarded a £5 cash prize.
Mrs Daniels, who has taught Years 1 and 2 at the school for 25 years, said: "Everyone enjoys the annual egg shackling and now we have more pupils than ever it is even more exciting.
"They all love the tradition and we always get a good turn out of villagers."
