A Northumberland tradition which has its roots in the 14th century is set to return again on New Year's Day.
The annual Ponteland Wheelbarrow race draws huge crowds in the village on January 1, attracting dozens of duos with one of the pair pushing their teammate around a circular course in a wheelbarrow. The course starts and ends at the Blackbird Pub on North Road and is organised by the Ponteland 41 Club, assisted by Ponteland Rugby Club, with money raised being shared between St Oswald's Hospice and Tynedale Hospice at Home.
Legend has it that the roots of the race go back to the 14th century when Ponteland residents were suffering a harsh winter, leaving food and fuel in short supply. The local leader at the time, St John De Hornby, is said to have gathered the villagers and took them hunting, using wheelbarrows to bring their catches back home.
