Message from Knaresborough Lions
Dear “Friends of Bed Race”, from Knaresborough Lions
Knaresborough Lions are proud to announce that preparations are well under way for next years Event, the 54th in its history. 2018 saw one of the best years so far, with record crowds and the weather once again smiled on us.
Bed Race is organised and run for charity, with monies coming in from Bed Teams, Sponsors, advertising, and programme sales; many of you generous Knaresborians also just donate. This annual Event could not take place without this continued loyal and charitable support.
We must thank not only you and our sponsors but the 500 or so volunteers from local clubs, societies, etc; we also enjoy the ongoing support of the local police; fire fighters; Raynet emergency radio team; Upper Wharfdale Fell Rescue divers; and many more organisations, see our programmes or web site for more details.
Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) support this Event by allowing the use of its “controlled spaces” free of charge; their Officers helping to ensure the Event runs safely and within legal guidelines.
Event Costs
It now costs about £30,000 to hold this Event, with some additional costs being met directly by our generous Sponsors, bringing the conservative costs to around £50,000. Once these Event costs are paid, the remaining funds go to support local charities and local worthwhile causes. This figure would be so much more if individuals like you did not give up their free time beforehand and on the day, our continued thanks to all our Event helpers.
An Event Program (£2) entitles one adult to enter the Conyngham hall field Event site; whilst those aged 17 and under are allowed in free.
Alcohol - Our “contract of use” of the site by HBC dictates that we must not allow privately owned alcohol into the Event site; we ask that you do not bring alcohol with you, or you freely dispose of it in the skips at our Event gates.
Liquid - It is a sorry state of our modern world that we have to consider malicious intent against those taking part as Bed Team’s or spectator’s, but the Police have asked that we publish requests for you to avoid spraying Teams etc with liquid or foam or similar substances.
The Registration of Teams for the draw starts in January and the public draw is in March, please watch the Bed Race web site at www.bedrace.co.uk for registration forms, costs, rules, and dates of the draw etc.
Would you like to help at Bed Race?
We are always looking for Marshals and Event staff to assist us and would welcome your help. Use our contact form at https://www.bedrace.co.uk/cont... to express an interest and we will be in touch.
ROAD CLOSURES – Saturday 8th June 2019 (see www.bedrace.co.uk for further detail)
6-am Set-up starts in the Castle, Conyngham hall areas; and the Market place;
10.45-am (New for 2019):
To ensure public safety whilst Bed Teams assemble in the Castle grounds and large crowds attend to view them, the following road closures will be in-force:
- From Barclays bank around and through the Market Place, Castlegate, and including Silver Street, Cheapside, and Brewerton Street (North); Fisher Street will also close to allow the St John Ambulance to erect their Treatment centre;
- The Castle yard car park will close to all but permit holders (and then only until 1230 when the rest of the road closures start, see below);
12-noon for 12.30 (Parade starts at 1-pm from the Castle)
- The High street (A59) will close along its complete length; with all side roads and courtyards etc closing; No parking along the High Street will be allowed and this will be checked;
- A59 Bond End through High Bridge and on to the Forest Lane junction will close;
- Waterside West & Central will close from High Bridge to the Mill; closing from the Mill to Low Bridge at 2.30-pm; this latter closure affects the Waterside Riverside Car Park;
- The new Bond End / High Bond End roundabout junctions will close up to Lands and along Boroughbridge road to the Texaco garage;
2.30-pm (Race starts at 3-pm from Conyngham Hall Field)
- Castle Ings and Brewerton Street, plus side streets etc close ready for the Race;
- Please note that parking on Castle Ings & Brewerton will cease from Friday evening and HBC Parking Enforcement Officers will be checking these areas; as will the Police on Saturday;
New For 2019
Once the last Race Bed clears the Market place, we will start to lift the crowd barriers, moving onto the High Street and down to Bond End. Once the High Street is clear, we will immediately start a controlled opening. Our hope, if safe to do so, is to have it open by 4.30-pm at the very latest.
Bond End through to Forest Lane will remain closed until 6-pm (not 5-pm as in the past) BUT we will try and open this earlier if crowd size and safety allows.
Notice from HBC on Street Trading
There are controls over street trading in Knaresborough which will be monitored and enforced during the event. Contact [email protected] if you are intending to carry out street trading. It is vital that any proposals to carry out street trading are registered with Harrogate Borough Council in advance so that they can advise you and us.
Street trading is defined as selling any article in the street, including food. A street is anywhere where the public has free access. Food traders must also be registered with their local environmental health office. Trading connected to the frontage of existing shops is permitted, however, it must be connected directly to the shop frontage and not remote from it and the nature of the sales must reflect those of the shop.
Street trading is completely prohibited along the full length of the following streets: Waterside; Water Bag Bank; High Street; Cheapside; and Castlegate. Trading may occur in other streets if notified to Harrogate Borough Council at least one month in advance of the event.
