The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
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Knaresborough Bed Race
The determination and energy of competitors in the 1977 Knaresborough Bed Race is both admirable and highly amusing in this wacky, fun film.
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Overview
This film features the high jinks that made up the 1977 Knaresborough Bed Race. A beauty pageant kicks off events, then different teams in fancy dress line-up to compete, including one team representing Look North Leeds. The teams battle for position as the riders hang on for their lives. The winners are presented with a cup whilst the losers rue their luck.
The 2.4 mile long Great Knaresborough Bed Race has been held annually since the inaugural event in 1966. The event consists of a pageant followed by a race on wheeled beds. The race continues to this day and is held on the second Saturday of June each year.
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