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.
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.
Pub pride will be at stake tomorrow when Knaresborough’s annual tug of war match over the River Nidd takes place.
The festive fun and frivolity sees teams from the neighbouring Half Moon and Mother Shipton Inn take the strain on either side of the river and try to pull each other towards the water’s edge.
Nobody actually enters the Nidd these days but the sight of locals holding a specially made long rope and trying to avoid sliding down a muddy bank is something to behold, and attracts a huge crowd of up to 1,000 people.
Half Moon landlord Tom Clarkson, who is organising the event, said the Knaresborough town crier would be introducing the event and Knaresborough Lions would marshal the crowds that gather in the narrow area.
The event will also raise money 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.
Last year’s tug of war — the first after covid — was won by default by the Half Moon, which entered teams on both sides of the river, but Mr Clarkson said he hoped the two pubs would both provide men’s and women’s teams this year.
Drinks will be available from 11am and there will be an outside bar run by local brewery Roosters.
The action gets underway beneath Low Bridge at high noon and will feature best of three pulls between separate men’s and women’s teams.
Mr Clarkson said:
“It’s a cracking day that we hope will raise a lot of money for Frank’s Fund.”
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.”
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.
Four traditional pubs to visit in the Harrogate districtA new generation of drinkers are being drawn to craft beer and cocktail bars, sparking a decline in traditional pubs.
And while many of us love a good Negroni or an IPA, you can’t beat a good old fashioned British boozer.
Fortunately we are still blessed’ with some excellent ones in the Harrogate district.
We asked our readers for their favourites. Here are four of them:
Reputedly, the oldest pub in Harrogate has a history going back to the earliest days of the town’s emergence as a leading spa resort.
Originating as one of the first inns for spa visitors after sulphur wells were first established in the mid-18th century, sulphur springs still flow beneath the cellar and the distinctive odours occasionally percolate up to the bar area.
The premises were rebuilt circa 1827 and known as The Promenade Inn. At this time it was said to be a most successful coaching inn. It was enlarged in 1856 and known as Hodgson’s until 1882, when William Hales became the landlord.
The interior decor is reflective of the pub’s long history, with mirrors and fittings from the Victorian era, including traditional gas lighting and cigar lighters.
Stray Ferret reader Richard Dunston Brady said:
“Hales, is the best traditional pub for charm, atmosphere, friendly staff and a well pulled pint.”
Hales Bar, 1-3 Crescent Road, Harrogate, HG1 2RS
The One-Eyed Rat is a traditional pub, famous for its old fashioned charm.
It can be found on Allhallowgate, one of the oldest parts of Ripon.
A real ale destination over many decades, the One Eyed Rat was refurbished and re-opened under new management in the summer of 2020.
A Grade II listed building set within a terrace of 200-year-old houses, its narrow frontage leads to a warm and welcoming hostelry.
The pub has a long, narrow interior with traditional seating and an open fire, and there is a large garden at the rear, including a covered area.
You can also enjoy a traditional pie and a pint.
The historic building dates back to 1340 and goes back several centuries as an inn.
It was almost certainly known as the Ship in the 17th century, as there is a token copper coin in existence, dated 1671, which shows a ship in full sale with the inscription “John Briggs in Aldborough his half penny”.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January following a fire. They have served many high-profile guests, including Prince William and Harry.
The traditional country pub in the Roman town of Aldborough is well-known for Brian’s Yorkshire puddings and ‘real gravy’.
Low Rd, Aldborough, YO51 9ER
Pubs and restaurants in Knaresborough reopened today after months of lockdown. Landlords were feeling “quite anxious but a little bit excited too”.
Knaresborough’s pubs were beginning to fill up around lunchtime but many saw fewer numbers than the same time pre-lockdown.
The town’s pubs were offering drinks and foods on a mainly pre-booked system, with walk-ins allowed if there was space. Many of the landlords had to reduce seating and menus to accommodate current guidelines, but all of them were excited to finally reopen their doors.
Tony Robb, one of the landlords at Mother Shipton Inn, said:
“I’m feeling a bit nervous we just wanted to make sure everything was in place with the tables and sanitiser. We’ve got plenty of space but we’ve still taken a few seats away. We’ve been looking forward to it though, we’ve been waiting for this day. I think people want to get back to some normality and get out and socialise.”
Sam Small from the Mother Shipton Inn, added:
“Its a complicated feeling, I’m quite anxious but a little bit excited too. We just want to make sure everyone feels safe, we’ve done everything we can. Its quiet for this evening but looking good for tomorrow. I don’t think its going to take off straight away but I’d rather it was a little steady.
Turning over the open sign came with much excitement this afternoon, as pubs and restaurants prepared to serve once again.
Ashleigh Lambert, owner of Six Poor Folk said:
“We’re open and it’s lovely. It’s taken a lot to get to this point and it’ll be nice to see our regulars again. We’ve got quite a lot of bookings for this afternoon, and then we’re fully booked from 6pm. It’s just getting used to the different measures, hopefully it’ll all come together.”
Customers were also pleased to return to their local pub, Gary Stafford has been waiting to return to Mother Shipton Inn. He said:
“We’ve been waiting for this day its just great to come back, I feel very comfortable. I missed just being able to chat to someone a bit different.”