The 22nd ‘Annual Community Duck Race

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The annual Duck and Boats’ races were postponed on 9th September because of the inclement weather – too wet for ducks!

The 22nd ‘Annual Community Duck Race and Children's Model Boat Race’ took place on Saturday 16th September 2017, at the Joey the Swan Recreation ground in Wistaston. The guests of honour were the Rose Queen and her Attendant.

The event was organised by members of the Wistaston Community Council. The sponsors were Wistonia Electrical & Security Ltd with a generous local charity donation from the new Wistaston Co-op.

The event was officially opened by the Wistaston Rose Queen (Jessica Doano) and her Attendant (Elise Kennerley).

44 model boats were entered into the Children's Model Boat Race and 640 plastic duck race tickets (£1 each) were sold and entered into the Duck Race.

Proceeds will go to the funds of Wistaston Community Council, Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre, and several local charities.

There were also 15 stalls featuring local charities and organisations, selling an assortment of goods or advertising their activities.

Several hundred people attended the event, which took place in warm sunshine.

Here are the results in full:

Children's Model Boat Race (44 model boats entered):

a) Best designed children's model boat (judged by Wistaston Rose Queen, Jessica Doano and her Attendant, Elise Kennerley):

1st – ‘Blue torpedo' by Ollie and Toby from Wistaston who won £10 and a trophy. They said "We like our boat. We hope it will be the fastest boat".

2nd place – 'The queen of hearts' by Mia.

3rd place – ‘Viking longboat’ by Harry and Isabelle.

b) Children's Model Boat Race:

1st – Jessica Chesters who won £10, plus a trophy donated by Herbert Locke MBE.

2nd place – Wilson Hadzik who won £8.

3rd place – Perdita Jones who won £6.

Duck Race (640 tickets sold):

1st – No.283 – Natasha Nuttall who won £100, plus a trophy donated by Les Fothergill, a past Wistonian of the Year.

2nd – No.467 – Liah Wood - £50.

3rd – No.623 – Maisie Pownall - £25.

There was an enthusiastic commentary on both races by Dane Chaplow, with ongoing excitement and incident around every corner as ducks and boats bobbed and weaved along the obstacle course.

A representative from Wistaston Community Council said, “This was our first attempt at organising the Duck Race, which has been a popular, community event for twenty-two years. We were able to follow the long-standing procedures from the past and thank, most sincerely, all the volunteers who made it a quacking success. We were pleased that it was a sunny day, following the wet postponement on 9^th September. We are so grateful to the sponsors - Wistonia Electrical & Security Ltd, the new Wistaston Co-op and Crewe Movie Makers.”

Best designed childrens model boat winners with Wistaston Rose Queen and Attendant.JPG