Bedknobs and Broomsticks! The Great Knaresborough Bed Race
For most of us, making our bed is a daily chore, done groggily and reluctantly midst our post- wake-up trance, however if you’re a competitor in The Great Knaresborough Bed Race making your bed is a whole different kettle of fish, it’s a task which requires creativity, structural awareness and most of all a bucket load of love and pride, not just a casual throw of the duvet and a half-hearted cushion arrangement.
‘What?’ I hear you cry, ‘What are you talking about?’, well for those not familiar with one of the largest community events in England since 1966 I’ll paint you a little picture of what you can expect from this year’s bed race, but do forgive me for pointing out the obvious, as the clue really is in the title.
This year competitors will be decorating their beds around the theme of ‘Olympic Nations’, it’s not just your average DFS number though, these beds must have four wheels, a rope on both sides and must be accompanied by an audible air horn…different. The day kicks off with a parade of the beds, a chance for a couple of the more flamboyant teams to secure the coveted ‘Best Dressed Bed’ and ‘Most Entertaining Team’ trophies.
Teams must consist of 6 people and one passenger who will ‘ride’ the bed (in full protective headgear of course) and there are a few rules… the passenger must be no younger than year 6, no missile or object throwing will be permitted (it’s dangerous ok folks?), you can’t be drunk (on alcohol, drunk from parade glee is fine, encouraged even) and finally, all participants must be able to swim, because when the race finally kicks off at 3pm competitors have the notorious river crossing to complete as part of the demanding course.
The speediest teams are capable of completing the course in just 15 minutes, that’s half a power nap to you and me, whilst teams new to the event may take more than double that time. And it’s all staged for charity, so if parades, jovial competitive races and prizes based around decorative beds simply don’t evoke enough feel-good-factor for you, then the knowledge that it’s all done for a good cause will probably do the trick.
The race takes place on Saturday 9th June in Castle Ground, Knaresborough and visitors can take full advantage of the fete, food stalls and amusement rides on offer. The list of part-takers has already been filled but if you have suddenly realised the bed racing is your calling, that thing that’s been missing all these years, or even if you’re just up for a laugh then why not take part next year?
But back to this year, I would like to extend my good luck wishes to all 90 teams taking part, however for superb name choice alone I’m backing ‘Lock, Stock and Six floating Barrels’, Don’t let me down guys…
About the Author
Adrian Simpson Adrian Simpson is a writer and TV presenter with a profound love of the outdoors. His family, snow, sea, brewing, vinyl, guitars and VW buses mean the world to him.
