Annual Tug of War

It started in 1953, Coronation Year, a challenge between two farmers : John Bull and Alec Neil. 

Tiddington (Oxon) wins the tug-of-war against Ickford (Bucks) across the river Thame, the county boundary

Coronation Day 1953 - Drawing by Phyllis Floud

TIDDINGTON (Oxon) wins the tug-of-war against ICKFORD (Bucks) across the river Thame, the county boundary.

 

Since then, every first Friday in August, two teams pull on opposite banks of the river Thame. Buckinghamshire against Oxfordshire and the evening ends with one team being hauled into the water.  This used to be followed by a dance in the Village Hall.

Original rules !
1. Before the contest each year 3 men from Ickford and 3 men from Tiddington gettogether and form a Tug-Of-War Committee
2. Therewill be 8 men in each team.
3. The men shall either reside or to have been born in their respective villages.
4. An umpire -or official starter- will be in the middle of the river to start the contest
5. Each team will be 5 yards from the river at the start of the pull.
6.A white handkerchief will be tied to the rope in the middle of the river.
7. The Cup cannot be won outright.
8. No spikes must be worn in boots.
9. Contestants must be fully clothed.
10. The losers must buy the winners 1 dozen pint bottles of beer and pay for the inscription on the Cup.
11. Ten per cent of the total proceeds must be put by each year for the rope fund.
12. It is the responsibility of each village alternately to provide someone to present the Cup and run the T.O.W dance.
 

Tiddington was the Winner in 2008

Updated Results : Tiddington 25 wins - Ickford 31 wins

Roll of Honour

2009

 Tiddington

2008

Tiddington

2007

Tiddington

2006

Tiddington

2005

Ickford

2004

Ickford

2003

Ickford

2002

Tiddington

2001

Ickford

2000

Ickford

1999

Ickford

1998

Ickford

1997

Ickford

1996

Tiddington

1995

Tiddington

1994

Tiddington

1993

Tiddington

1992

Ickford

1991

Ickford

1990

Ickford

1989

Ickford

1988

Ickford

1987

Ickford

1986

Tiddington

1985

Tiddington

1984

Ickford

1983

Ickford

1982

Ickford

1981

Ickford

1980

Tiddington

1979

Ickford

1978

Tiddington

1977

Ickford

1976

Tiddington

1975

Tiddington

1974

Tiddington

1973

Tiddington

1972

Tiddington

1971

Tiddington

1970

Ickford

1969

Ickford

1968

Ickford

1967

Ickford

1966

Tiddington

1965

Ickford

1964

Ickford

1963

Ickford

1962

Tiddington

1961

Ickford

1960

Ickford

1959

Tiddington

1958

Ickford

1957

Tiddington

1956

Ickford

1955

Tiddington

1954

Tiddington

1953

Tiddington