Archived News - Duck Race
Ducks sail to victory in the rapid river race
The fourth annual Duck Race in the River Ouzel brought down the curtain on this year's St Mary's Villages Carnival.
The crowds turned out along the route in Eaton Bray and Edlesborough to see 250 plastic ducks launched into the river at the appointed hour.
With a strong current, and against a head wind, the flock was soon spread out. Three ducks established an early lead and led all the way but there was a late surge by what would be described in the Tour de France as the peloton. As a result the duck in third place was overtaken only inches from the finishing line.
Six winners shared £150 and £350 went towards boosting the carnival's profit of £11,000.
The winners were:
- 1st: No.128 - Mrs T Watkin and Ian Ruffle - £37.50 each.
- 2nd: No.217 - Mr & Mrs D Ross and Mrs H McCluskey - £25 each.
- 3rd: No. 243 - Mrs L Chapman and Georgia West - £12.50 each.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17 July 2007
St Mary's Village Carnival Duck Race
The fourth annual Duck Race in the River Ouzel brought down the curtain on this year's St Mary's Village carnival. In front of a good crowd, especially of youngsters, 250 ducks were launched into the the river at the appointed hour.
With a strong current and against a head wind the flock was soon spread out. Three ducks established an early lead and led all the way but a late surge, by what would be described in the Tour de France as the peloton, resulted in what until then had been the third placed duck being overtaken only inches from the finishing line. Six winners shared £150 and £350 contributed towards the Carnival's profit of £11,000.
Winners were:
- 1st - #128 - Mrs T Watkin and Ian Ruffle - £37.50 each
- 2nd - #217 - Mr & Mrs D Ross and Mrs H McCluskey - £25 each
- 3rd - #243 - Mrs L Chapman and Georgia West - £12.50 each
More photos and results can be found on the Carnival website.
Source: St Mary's Village Carnival
Carnival 2006
Our thanks to all who contributed to this year's Carnival - we appreciate everyone's involvement in and support for this remarkable church and community effort.
An enormous vote of thanks goes to Peter Bennett and his stalwart team for the organisation of the whole event, and to all the helpers who set everying up, manned (and womanned) the stalls and attractions and cleared up afterwards. Well done, everyone!
Photos and Results are now available.
Don't forget that this year's Duck Race is on Saturday 8th July at 1.00pm along the River Ouzel from Summerleys to the bridge at the end ot The Meads. Tickets available around the villages on the day, or from Gordon Gray during the week.
Source: St Mary's Village Carnival website