PHOTO GALLERY: Hampsthwaite defeats Birstwith in village tug of war
Hampsthwaite 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.
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.
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.
Watch today’s Birstwith Pig Race
A wacky village tradition made its comeback today as part of Birstwith’s jubilee activities.
The Birstwith Pig Race was held at the Station Hotel after being cancelled for the two previous years due to covid.
Today’s event saw battery-powered pigs with silly names race to the finish line to raise funds for Birstwith Show, to be held on July 30, and Birstwith in Bloom.
For each race, people could pay £5 to sponsor the race and £3 to own and name one of six pigs. However a casualty during the first race left it to Mr Snout, Chunky Cheeks, Stinky Pig, Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig to fight for first place.
Eventually, Mr Snout claimed the medal.
Watch the action as it unfolds:
Organiser Amy Howard said:
“It’s a great fundraiser and great fun for all the family. We haven’t had one for a few years due to the pandemic so the pigs needed a bit of an MOT and a bit of a dust off!”
Hundreds raised for charity thanks to return of Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war
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.
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.
