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26
Dec 2022
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:
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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.
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