by Jonathan Rudd How did this come about? The Great Bed Race began in 1966 when members of the newly formed Knaresborough Round Table wished to create a fundraising event which made the town stand out from the rest. The first race consisted of just four teams from local military institutions, RAF Linton on Ouse,

by Jonathan Rudd What on earth? The custom of Welly wanging is a sport in which competitors have to throw a Wellington boot, or welly as far as they can. The person who can throw it the furthest is the winner. How did this happen? The spiritual home of welly wanging is in Upperthong, near

They were once magnificent residencies built in an age of British wealth and prosperity, but for varying reasons were abandoned and destroyed, permanently erased from the Yorkshire landscape. 1. Howley Hall This once magnificent house, located between Morley and Batley in West Yorkshire, was once one of the area’s most elegant stately homes. Boasting panoramic

The re-invention of Christmas in the 19th Century also started some rather curious customs in Yorkshire, some of which still continue to this day, or are still within living memory. 1. Poor Old Hoss The bizarre “Poor old Hoss” ritual takes place every Christmas Eve in Richmond’s marketplace. A person wearing a horse’s head made of

 “Nowhere are the traditions of Christmas kept up with such splendour as in Yorkshire.” (Visitor to the county 1812) Yorkshire is a fantastic place to be all year round, but at Christmas it is extra special. It has always been an area full of tradition, none more so than over the festive period. Throughout history

Have you ever wondered why railways and the City of York go hand in hand? It is largely down to the work of George Hudson, the Railway King. Early Life George Hudson was born in the small village of Howsham, just twelve miles north of York in 1800. He had a tragic childhood when both

An estate village is a settlement which is part of a larger tract of land, which is owned by an individual wealthy family, often through several generations. Once commonplace throughout Yorkshire, these villages have since dwindled to only a few which still remain to this day.  1. Londesborough In the heart of the East Riding and at the

They were once cathedrals of sporting entertainment, but are now lost and forgotten. Here are 5 Yorkshire sporting venues which have long since seen their last goal, run, or try. 1. Park Avenue- Bradford The Park Avenue stadium in Bradford was opened in 1880 as a multi-sport venue, boasting both a football and cricket pitch adjacent