The annual Duck and Boats’ races

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The annual Duck and Boats’ races were postponed on 8th September because of the inclement weather – too wet for ducks!

The 23rd ‘Annual Community Duck Race and Children's Model Boat Race’ took place on Saturday 15th September 2018, at the Joey the Swan Recreation ground in Wistaston. The guests of honour were the Rose Queen and her Consort.

The event is organised by members of the Wistaston Community Council. The main sponsor was iWear Opticians - an independent opticians based in Nantwich and Tarporley.

The event was officially opened by the Wistaston Rose Queen (Poppy Bellingham).

65 model boats were entered into the Children's Model Boat Race and 800 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 (65 model boats entered):

a) Best designed children's model boat (judged by Wistaston Rose Queen, Poppy Bellingham and her brother/Consort Joe Bellingham):

1st – ‘Pirate ship Wood’ by Oliver Wood who won £10 and a trophy.

2nd place – ‘The Red Arrow’ by Tom & Harriet Burdett.

3rd place – ‘Ashley’ by Ashley Reeves.

b) Children's Model Boat Race:

1st – ‘Jessie’ by Jessie Tomkinson who won £10, plus a trophy donated by Herbert Locke MBE.

2nd place – ‘Mischievous Red’ by Henry Wrighton who won £8.

3rd place – ‘HMS Orla’ by Orla Dawson who won £6.

Duck Race (800 tickets sold):

1st – No.106 – Gaz Owen who won £100, plus a trophy donated by Les Fothergill, a past Wistonian of the Year.

2nd – No.514 – The Saving family - £50.

3rd – No.118 – Bronwyn Dean - £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, “We thank all the visitors and volunteers for making the event such a quacking success. We were pleased that it was a sunny day, following the wet postponement on 8th September. We are also very grateful to the sponsors - iWear Opticians.”

Entries in the Best designed childrens model boat competition.JPG

Best designed childrens model boat judged by Wistaston Rose Queen Poppy Bellingham and her brother-Consort Joe Bellingham.JPG