CROWDS will again flock to Gostrey Meadow to enjoy the spectacle of 300 rubber duckies racing down the River Wey at the 31st Farnham Duck Race on Saturday, May 5, organised by Farnham Weyside Rotary Club.

As well as the drama of the races, which start at noon and continue in a series of heats all afternoon, there are dozens of stalls to visit, food and drink to enjoy and all the fun of the fair for the children from 10am.

Tickets cost £1 each and are on sale on the day, as well as around Farnham in the weeks running up to the race. There are prizes for the winners of each heat and for the final winner.

The duck race raises thousands of pounds for charity. Rotary supports a number of local charities and this year they are also helping a very special project in Uganda.

Seeds for Development is a small charity, started by a local mother from Shalford. Its aim is to empower some of the poorest farming families in Uganda.

The particular project being supported by Farnham Weyside is in Potuke in northern Uganda, to build a new school with good sanitation and a kitchen. One of the racing ducks has been sent to Uganda to show Farnham’s support and can be seen at the school and in one of the classrooms that had been destroyed by fire.

Funds will also go to the local Ridgeway School, well-known for its work with children of all ages with severe and complex learning difficulties.

Farnham Weyside Rotary Club is grateful to many local organisations, particularly the Herald for their assistance in setting up the day, and to the many generous people who make it such a success.