By Mal Butler
The water ran yellow over the weekend as a sea of plastic ducks took part in the annual charity Easter races across the Island.
Big crowds attended the Yarmouth races, hosted by the town’s sailing club, put back to late Saturday afternoon because of the tide. A new category, this year, was the Easter Bonnet parade, judged by the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon. The winner was Thomas Cambridge, who modelled a design by Ila Bland, who was too shy to join the parade!
On the water in the Commercial Duck race, the inflatable Wheatsheaf Duck was a clear winner, followed by Wightwood Pizza. The Best Dressed Business Duck was won by Martin Gotrel Jewellers, followed by the Royal Solent Yacht Club and PO41 Coffee House.
Masters of Ceremonies were Yarmouth’s ‘Ant and Pec’ – Anthony Davies, on the shore, and Miles Peckham on the water.
The Aspire duck race was also another great success with more than 1,100 ducks floating down the river at Shide, Newport, although water was slow going and it took an hour from start to finish! Nettlestone Primary, Year 6 pupils, took part in a decorated duck competition. The race raised more £1,000 for Aspire, with thanks to the car park owner, the river landowner and volunteers – with poor Paddy McHugh and Claire Apsey falling in for their efforts!
The Ventnor Enhancement Fund sold all the tickets for its 10th annual race as the weather cleared up just in time for another series of exciting races. A record 420 ducks took part with 30 in each of 14 races, after an extra two races were added to this year’s schedule due to popular demand. The winning and losing duck from each race went into grand finals which featured a winner’s race and losers’ race. The Grand Champion, the winner of winners, was Owen Brazendale, but Ned Chapfield, the loser of losers, with the slowest duck of the day had a smile on his face when he collected his £20 Crave ice cream voucher and Easter egg!
The crowds were also out in Winkle Street on Sunday, as more than 1,000 ducks were released into the local stream for the annual Calbourne Duck Race. Winners were: 1 Olivia Holyoake, 2 Victoria Isaacson, 3 Peter Bartlett, 4 Imogen Watt, 5 Vivienne Jackson. All money raised will go towards the upkeep of the village recreation centre.
View our on-line gallery of the event at iw.observer/calbourne-duck-race or scan the QR code.
Isle of Wight Observer