Bad weather brakes on soapbox

Carts made to look like everything from pirate ships to elephants and tractors to snowmen flew down Aldington’s Forge Hill on Monday.

Around 1,000 people turned out for the 2015 Soapbox Derby and an accompanying fete held on the village recreation ground.

Villager Martin Goodchild’s Little Red Shark was the fastest cart to make it down the track in an impressive 55.29 seconds which saw him win the main event, sponsored by Steadline.

In second and third place were Dart, driven by Stephen Finniss, and Rat Rod, driven by Gavin Barlow, who finished in 1min and 2.56secs and 1min and 3.4secs respectively.

A bravery award went to James Southern who needed to go to hospital after dislocating his shoulder.

Eric MacRae, secretary of the Aldington Soapbox Derby committee, said: “He [James] had a bit of a crash towards the end of the route. We had St John’s Ambulance there, so they took him to hospital. It was the only incident we had all day.”

Winners of the Best Novelty Soapbox was Ted, driven by James Longstaff and built with the help of Ben Filip, which was

Picture: Wayne McCabe FM3992985 Alfie Owen. aged eight

Picture: Wayne McCabe FM3992972 Blink and you’ll miss it

Pirate-themed cart comes cruising into view

Picture: Pete Morris-Kelso FM3994012 From Frozen to Aldington

One of the soapbox derby’s mean

Picture: Pete Morris-Kelso FM3994007 They’re raring to go

FM3992978 Drivers Gareth Keeler and Darren Long Hill