Crowds soak up the fun and games in Whiting Bay
The entertainment didn’t stop all week at the Whiting Bay fun week which saw record entries to events and big crowds this year.
Last Sunday, after the raft race and Bay Queen crowning ceremony, reported in last week’s Banner, it was over to the bowling green where a big entry of 64, including a number of children who had never played bowls before, fought it out in the good natured family competition. The contest was won by Whiting Bay’s own Cathie and John Steed with their partners Ann and Robert Frame.
The always popular beach sculpture competition last Wednesday was one of the events which attracted a strong entry, despite doubts it may not be able to go ahead due to the weather. However, it stayed dry until the prize-giving and there were some excellent entries in the children, family and adult sections for visitors to admire.
Coming out top on the day and taking away three prizes - family winner, overall winner and the impressive People’s Choice trophy were the Burns-Thompson family, who have a holiday home in Lamlash.
Attracting a crowd of over 70 people, despite the rain, the grand putting competition saw some excellent scoring with brothers, Torren and Brodie Hart taking first place in the child and teenager’s category with a 44 and 37 respectively.
Winners’ mug
Defending ladies champion Alice Martin retained her title with a score of 37 while Jamie Macpherson also won again with four holes in one and a score of 34, securing himself another coveted and unique winners’ mug to add to his collection.
On Friday, at the fancy dress fun run winner of the Inspiration’s Maisie Moo competition, Ava Pringle and her family joined the
runners, including a group from the Scripture Union camp, in a race from Sandbraes to the putting green. Running down the route lined with spectators and supporters the winner was Jesse Townsend closely followed by Ewan Morrison and with third place being shared by Luke Goatley and Sid Townsend. Taking the prizes for the best fancy dress was Daisy May McNamara, Kirsty Morrison, Rosie-Anne McNamara and Kitty Townsend who were Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.
Completing the week of fun activities was the incredibly popular duck race which saw a big crowd of supporters shouting encouragement at the 1,000 ducks that were released at the Sandbraes bridge where they made their way towards the sea only to be scooped up by the volunteers standing ankle deep further down in the burn.
Winning £100 with the first duck to cross the finish line was Patty Primrose of Kildonan, followed by the ducks of Alison Page of Lamlash and John Steed of Whiting Bay who each won £50 and £25 respectively.
The final event of the day, and wrapping up a week of fun activities, was the family relay race around Sandbraes field which was won by Jason and Isla Street and Lewis Crossen of Lamlash who joined the team to make up the two juniors and one adult relay team.
All the events are organised by The Whiting Bay and Districts Improvements Association who said in a statement: ‘Many thanks to everyone who organised or helped at events too many to mention individually but all your hard work and support is much appreciated.
All the events were very well attended, so a huge thank you for the generosity of all the locals and visitors who came along to the Fun Week and had fun!’
See also page 12.