Knaresborough’s festive tug of war makes Boxing Day returnGALLERY AND VIDEO: Huge crowds watch Boxing Day tug of war in Knaresborough

A huge crowd and fabulous Boxing Day weather ensured a fantastic atmosphere at the traditional Boxing Day tug of war over the River Nidd in Knaresborough.

Teams representing the Half Moon Free House and the neighbouring Mother Shipton Inn take part in the festive fun annually at Low Bridge. Lining up on opposite river banks, they try to pull each other towards the water’s edge.

Town crier Mark Hunter provided commentary from the bridge and besides the two pubs, Rooster’s Brewing Co kept the ale flowing with an outdoor bar.

The Mother Shipton women’s team — featuring members of Harrogate Railway FC — started the day’s sport by winning 2-1. Here we see the Half Moon team sliding towards the river in the opening pull.

The Mother Shipton men’s team then overcame the Half Moon team by the same margin, after a gargantuan second pull that lasted several minutes.

Every pull was won by the team based on the Mother Shipton side.

Knaresborough Lions provided traffic management on a day that also generated funds for Frank’s Fund, a charity set up by the Ashton family in 2019 following the death of their 14-year-old son, Frank, to Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

Here are some photos from the day.

Read more:

 

The victorious Mother Shipton team.

Crowds on the river bank.

 

Town crier Mark Hunter calls the action.

Competition for the best viewing spots was fierce.

The weather was glorious.

The view towards Mother Shipton Inn.

The Rooster’s outside bar.

Town crier Mark Hunter kept the crowd informed.

Hundreds of people lined the banks of the Nidd and Low Bridge.

Boxing Day tug of war returns to Knaresborough

Up to 1,000 people are expected to congregate on the banks of the River Nidd in Knaresborough today for one of the country’s more curious Boxing Day traditions.

Teams representing the Half Moon free house and the nearby Mother Shipton Inn will take the strain in a tug of war tussle with a difference.

The teams will face-off on either side of the Nidd and attempt to pull each other towards the water’s edge.

Teams no longer get yanked into the river, but the sight of men and women heaving a huge rope over a major waterway is quite a sight — and one that has been missed lately due to covid.

Tom Clarkson, organiser and landlord of the Half Moon, summed up the fun:

“It lasts about an hour-and-a-half and it’s absolute mental, wonderful carnage.”

Read more:

Men’s and women’s teams of eight will take part in best-of-three jousts to claim bragging rights for a year.

Mother Shipton Inn came out on top last time.

Crowds are expected to start gathering around the low bridge from about 11.15am before the action gets underway at noon.

Competitors and fans will then put aside their differences to retire to the two pubs. A collection will take place on the day for the bone cancer charity Frank’s Fund.