LARGE crowds flocked to Gostrey Meadow last Saturday to enjoy the 31st Farnham Duck Race.

The weather was fantastic, the ducks were on fine racing form, and families could enjoy all the fun of the fair.

It all combined to make this the “best duck race ever”, as hailed by organisers the Rotary Club of Farnham Weyside.

Everything from roundabouts and bouncy slides to zorbing balls were on offer for the children, while the rest of the family could enjoy the burgers and bacon rolls provided by the guides.

Soft drinks, tea and coffee were also available, and several stalls were selling tempting homemade cakes.

The record sums raised during the day will support two charities who had stalls at the fair. The Ridgeway School showed the variety of work they did, while Seeds for Development had a colourful stall with work produced by the people in Uganda who they help.

‘Charlotte the duck’ was present on the stand and had just come back from Uganda where she had been raising awareness of the duck race and Rotary in Farnham.

Just before the racing started, the course was tested by ‘Mother Duck’ to see that the way was clear. Then, on the stroke of midday, the first race was started by the Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge, when 300 bright yellow ducks were tipped into the River Wey.

Duckmaster Cherylle Westgate presented the mayor with a commemorative ‘duck biscuit’ immediately after the launch. This is Cherylle’s second year as Duckmaster, and she has been responsible for the expansion in the event and its continuing success. She is one of a growing number of active women in Rotary, and Farnham Weyside particularly welcomes new women members to join them.

The going in the race was good and about five minutes later the winner of the first heat was announced by Rotarian John Lewis. Eight heats followed at intervals until just after 3pm when the final race was run and the overall winner declared. All the winners will be contacted very shortly with the good news.

After the racing had finished hundreds of people stayed on to enjoy the afternoon and visit the many stalls manned by local organisations and charities. After 31 years the Duck Race has become established as one of the major events in the town’s calendar, and the organisers, Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, are particularly grateful to the Farnham Herald for their continuing support.

For more information about Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, see the website, www.farnhamweyside.org.uk, find the club on Facebook, or contact the secretary, John Cattell, on 01252 715048, or by email at [email protected].