Cross-river battle of strength pulls in record festive crowd

Now in its 44th year, the event at Low Bridge involves pulls by both men’s and ladies’ teams.

This year’s victors were from the Dropping Well pub as they took on opponents from the Half Moon pub in the tough but good-natured contest.

Knaresborough Town Crier Simon Shaw, who refereed and compered, described the event as “awesome” and he estimated it had attracted a record turnout of spectators. Each pull was keenly fought, with the ladies’ event lasting a gruelling eight or nine minutes.

Among those taking part was Brenda Waller, for the Dropping Well, who has performed in every Boxing Day pull for 24 years, while the men’s team from the pub was also highly experienced with three competitors boasting 80 years combined expertise. In contrast, the Half Moon’s team was mainly composed of novices but they had put up a big fight, he said.

The Knaresborough Silver Band provided music and the Town Mayor also attended. The event raised money for Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, the blind charity Henshaws, and Forest School in Knaresborough.