Ducks dash down river in last race ever
CARRADALE’S residents and visitors went quackers for the last annual duck race.
Despite the fact it was blowing a hooley, hundreds of welly-wearing spectators watched the plastic yellow ducks float down the burn towards the finish line last Saturday.
Organised by Michael and Moria Foreman for the past 21 years, the event traditionally raises funds for the village church.
Entrants sponsored and named a duck for £10, which were then numbered and let loose down the Carradale river.
Before the race splashed into action there were games and a barbecue, as well as soup, wraps and clams for sale, in Michael and Moira’s garden, with face painting and a baking stall in a gazebo.
Organisers and spectators were piped along the road and through the field to the river by S1 student Catriona Newman, before Alasdair Bennett and Duncan Semple released the ducks.
Despite the breeze, the 381 ducks got off to a slow start and were mostly huddled together before some got caught by the current and headed off.
Duncan and Alasdair were waiting at the fork in the river to direct all the ducks down one side towards the finish at Waterfoot.
While some got tangled in the overgrown riverbanks, other ducks got stuck in an undercurrent, destined to circle in the same spot forever if it wasn’t for the helpers clad in waders netting
them and releasing them back into the river.
Eventually they all made it to the finish line, where they were scooped up and the top 10 finalists were noted.
Many of the winners had braved the elements and headed home before the prize-giving ceremony, after which Michael and Moira were thanked for their efforts throughout the years and presented with a basket of flowers and a voucher for a trip to Portavadie.
Michael made a short speech thanking everyone for their support over the past 21 years.
Although the money usually goes soley to the church, this year, of the more than £5,000 raised, £750 will be donated to the Hurricane Irma and Marie appeal and £750 to the Rohingya appeal.
Despite the blustery breeze, everyone had a ‘quacking’ time and it was sad see the end of an era. Results: 1st place £150: The Brown children, no 307. 2nd place £100: The Bell family from New Zealand, no 117. Best named duck: Charlotte Robb for Quacker Bilk, no 254. Booby duck: Vivian Foreman, no 243. Andrew Glenn Plants voucher: D Kelly, no 314. Glen restaurant voucher: The McGrath family, no 135. Drumfearne voucher: Kirsty Kitson, no 340. Aqualibrium voucher: Hannah Walker, no 73. Fish shop voucher: Pat Laud, no 183. Bottle of Kintyre Gin: M Gray, no 33. CalMac voucher: Al McLean, no 300. Bottle of Springbank whisky: R and N Fraser, no 321. Round of golf for four: J Dicker, no 179. Camera club photo: V Gilmour, no 123.