Bed Race founder would be 'blown away' by it today

It has become one of Yorkshire's most eccentric spectacles, yet few outside the host town know how the tradition truly began.

The Knaresborough Bed Race, which marks its 60th anniversary this month, sees teams run through the market town pushing decorated beds, before a swim across the River Nidd to the finish line.

They represent local businesses, sports clubs, schools and community organisations.

The tradition that started in 1966 does not have its roots in local folklore - instead its origins are more about bringing people together.

The race was conceived as a charity fundraiser by the Knaresborough Round Table, which broke away from the Harrogate organisation with younger members.

The first event was launched by TV star Harry Corbett, accompanied by his puppets Sooty and Sweep, and was ultimately won by the Army Apprentices team.

There were only four beds that year and all were entered by local military bases; the US Army from Menwith Hill; HMS Forest Moor, a former Royal Navy receiver station; RAF Linton-on-Ouse; and what is now the Army Foundation College. It was also the only year in which competitors pushed real hospital beds.

The forces took the competition seriously - but one team made an error that became local legend.

The US Army, leading comfortably, famously jumped into the River Nidd half a mile too early, allowing the Army Apprentices to seize victory.

The set-up today has three runners on each side of the bed, with a passenger on the 'bed'.

In 1966, the passenger was a young woman who had a won a beauty contest. The passengers are now mostly children, whose weight makes the beds as light as possible.

There were no stalls, parade or fancy dress theme that year and just £300 was collected. In its 60-year history, the total funds raised have been estimated as up to £100,000.

Linda Oldridge, who was 11 at the time, remembers the excitement of that first year, when her father was one of the organisers.

In the 1960s, Knaresborough was often overshadowed by nearby Harrogate.

"Knaresborough was always considered at the time to be a sort of suburb of Harrogate, and I think Knaresborough Round Table wanted to make it an entity in its own right with the Bed Race," she says.

The founding members were young, ambitious and determined to create something memorable.

"A bunch of guys were in Harrogate Round Table but felt that it was not as young as they would like, so they started the Knaresborough one. I think they basically just threw some ideas around to put Knaresborough Round Table on the map."

The Round Table name was dropped in the 1980s and the Knaresborough Lions Club took over as organisers. The route has become safer over time.

The original course included Water Bag Bank, a narrow, steep cobbled street which remained part of the route into the 1990s.

Gary Smoulders recalls taking part in 1994, saying: "All it had at the bottom was a bale of hay just in case. It was quite terrifying really."

Oldridge confirms that teams in the early years crossed the river with no lifejackets or floats but people "were not concerned in those days".

This year, more than 90 teams and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to turn what was a local curiosity into an international spectacle.

Oldridge adds: "My father would be blown away at what a massive event it's become, and proud to have been there in the beginning."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.