Harrogate landlord to hold New Year stock clearance sale for good causePHOTO GALLERY: Hampsthwaite defeats Birstwith in village tug of warHampsthwaite claimed bragging rights over Birstwith for the rest of the year after winning the annual New Year’s Day tug of war contest.
Men’s and women’s teams from the Joiners Arms in Hampsthwaite and the Station Hotel in Birstwith did battle at Hampsthwaite cricket field yesterday in front of a large crowd of spectators.
The men’s and women’s teams from Hampsthwaite both came out top in the best-of-three pulls.
The teams then put aside their rivalries to enjoy pie and peas at the Joiners Arms and take part in a raffle to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
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All the photos below were taken by Edward Lee.
Hampsthwaite v Birstwith set for tug of war showdownVillage pride will be at stake today when teams from Hampsthwaite and Birstwith do battle in their traditional New Year’s Day tug of war showdown.
Men’s and women’s teams from the Joiners Arms in Hampsthwaite and the Station Hotel in Birstwith will face-off at Hampsthwaite cricket field at 1pm.
Both sexes will compete over the best of three pulls before heading to the Joiners Arms for pie and peas.
There will also be a raffle in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Joiners Arms landlord Tony Crammage, aided by Robin Hardcastle, has been organising the Hampsthwaite men’s team while Nicola Binns is getting together the female team. Amy Howard is overseeing the teams in Birstwith.
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Joiners Arms landlady Becky Cranage explained the tug of war tradition dated back many years, with Hampsthwaite’s finest formerly taking on a team from RAF Menwith Hill.
But in recent years it has evolved into a battle of neighbouring Nidderdale villages, with Hampsthwaite emerging victorious last year.
Some of last year’s competitors.
Villagers raised around £800 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after the Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war competition made a welcome return.
Hundreds of people watched the annual event at Hampsthwaite cricket ground on New Year’s Day, which was cancelled last year due to covid restrictions.
The tradition dates back to the 1980s, but about eight years ago it became a competition between two pubs in the neighbouring villages; The Joiners Arms, in Hampsthwaite, and The Station Hotel, in Birstwith.
The crowd cheered as Hampsthwaite claimed the victory in both the men’s and women’s events, which were captained by Robin Hardcastle and Nicola Binns.
Hampsthwaite’s winning men’s team.
This was despite Birstwith putting up a strong fight.
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The event finished with children from the villages having a go – with a bit of help from the adults – before people headed to The Joiners Arms for pie and peas.
Rebecca Cranage, owner of the Joiners Arms, said:
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who came to the tug of war and who donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I would also like to thank Amy Howard, who organised both the Birstwith teams.”
Ms Cranage has lived in the village for 20 years and, like many villagers, has fond memories of watching the event.
It has evolved over the years after starting as a Brits vs Americans competition featuring men from the RAF Menwith Hill base.
Hampsthwaite’s winnning women’s team.
A raffle also raised funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Knaresborough’s Boxing Day tug of war was cancelled due to covid uncertainty, but organisers have said they are hopeful the event will be able to take place this year.
Organisers ‘hopeful’ Hampsthwaite v Birstwith tug of war can go aheadThe organisers of the annual News Year’s Day Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war competition have said they’re keeping their fingers crossed it will go ahead in a fortnight’s time.
The tradition dates back to the 1980s, but about eight years ago it became a competition between two pubs in the neighbouring villages; The Joiners Arms in Hampsthwaite and The Station Hotel in Birstwith.
Hundreds of people often watch the competition at Hampsthwaite cricket ground before heading to The Joiners Arms.
The event had to be cancelled this year due to coronavirus restrictions. Knaresborough’s Boxing Day tug of war has been cancelled this year but organisers have said they’re hopeful the event will be able to take place on the first day of next year.
Rebecca Cranage, the owner of Joiners Arms, said:
“We thought we’d definitely be OK for this year, we are just hoping it can still go ahead. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
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Ms Cranage has lived in the village for 20 years and, like many villagers, has fond memories of watching the event.
It has evolved over the years after starting as a Brits vs Americans competition featuring men from the RAF Menwith Hill base.
The upcoming event is due to include men’s and women’s teams, with 10 people on each end of the rope pulling for victory.
There will also be a raffle to raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
