scrambling, judo, piano smashing, morris dancing, and, in 1976, poetry. After dusk a bonfire is lit, followed by a torchlight procession to the square in Chipping Campden, where the entertainment continues well into the night. The British Olympic Association, in its successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, recognised Dover's games as "the first stirrings of Britain's Olympic beginnings". Writing in 1972, the athletics coach and sports journalist Ron Pickering said: While the 2017 games did not take place due to fundraising and personnel issues, the games resumed in 2018. The 2019 games agenda included events such as a children's half mile Junior Circuit, a championship-of-the-hill race for adults and a tug of war competition. The organizers also planned fireworks, a torchlit procession, marching bands and cannons firing. The 2020 and 2021 games were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See also Robert Dover (Cotswold Games) References Notes Citations Bibliography Drayton, Michael, et al. (1636), Annalia Dubrensia: upon the yearly celebration of Mr. Robert Dovers Olimpick Games upon Cotswold-Hills, London: Robert Raworth. Further reading Gandy, Rob (2021), "Bold Dover", The Fortean Times, FT408, (August 2021), pp. 46–50. External links Old shin sport alive and kicking" at BBC News Videos Of Shin Kicking 2006 Chambers' Book of Days May 31 The Times Online: "A Very English Olympics" 17th-century establishments in England 17th century in sports Athletic culture based on Greek antiquity Cotswolds English traditions History of Gloucestershire Multi-sport events in the United Kingdom Recurring sporting events established before 1750 1612 establishments in England 1852 disestablishments in the United Kingdom 1963 establishments in the United Kingdom