Photos: Knaresborough Boxing Day Tug of War: The Half Moon Pub battles Mother Shipton

By Sophie Mei Lan

Published 27th Dec 2022, 13:35 BST

One of the sporting events held every year on Boxing Day is the tug-of-war at Knaresborough, in which the opponents pull their sturdy rope over the River Nidd.

The battling teams represent the pubs on each bank , the Half Moon and the Mother Shipton, and it’s a tradition of over 50 years standing with 8-strong teams on each side for men and for ladies and with the best-of-three rule to decide the winning sides.

Volunteer team members for each pub battled it out.

1. Tugging for the best of three

Volunteer team members for each pub battled it out. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

The orange team on one side of the river bank .

2. Orange Vs Blue

The orange team on one side of the river bank . Photo: Bruce Rollinson

There's a lot o camaraderie but also competition between the sides.

3. Pull!

There's a lot o camaraderie but also competition between the sides. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

Spectators eagerly watched on.

4. The Blues

Spectators eagerly watched on. Photo: Bruce Rollinson