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12

Jun 2021

Community
Community

Knaresborough Bed Race: A look back at the first event in 1966

Published: 12 Jun 2021, 10:00 BST

by John Plummer

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With covid cancelling this year's event, we look back at the first bed race in 1966 when Sooty creator Harry Corbett fired the starter's gun on a phenomenon that just kept growing. All photos by the late Bill Hardacre.

knaresborough-bed-race-1966
Harry Corbett fires a gun to start the first bed race in 1966. Pic: Bill Hardacre

This weekend was supposed to see one of the biggest events of the Harrogate district calendar — the Knaresborough bed race.

Sadly, covid forced the event's cancellation for the second year running.

So here's a look back at how it all started in 1966, courtesy of some photos by Knaresborough amateur photographer, the late Bill Hardacre, whose son Roy sent them.

The puppeteer Harry Corbett, who created children's TV character Sooty, fired the gun to start the race.

Acker Bilk, the jazz musician, started the 1967 race. Does anyone know how they were tempted to Knaresborough?

Do you recognise any of the people seen in the photos, or have favourite memories of the madcap event that grew so big?

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre

Knaresborough bed race 1966 Pic Bill Hardacre



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