Article and images by Jonathan White
The annual Wistaston duck and boat races were postponed on 8th September due to inclement weather – apparently too wet for ducks!
However, 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 and was this year sponsored by a local optician.
The event was officially opened by 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 towards the funds of Wistaston Community Council, Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre, and other 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 place – ‘Pirate Ship Wood’ by Oliver Wood
2nd place – ‘The Red Arrow’ by Tom and Harriet Burdett
3rd place – ‘Ashley’ by Ashley Reeves
b) Children’s Model Boat Race:
1st place – ‘Jessie’ by Jessie Tomkinson
2nd place – ‘Mischievous Red’ by Henry Wrighton
3rd place – ‘HMS Orla’ by Orla Dawson
c) Duck Race (800 tickets sold):
1st – No.106 (Gaz Owen)
2nd – No.514 (The Saving family)
3rd – No.118 (Bronwyn Dean)
There was enthusiastic commentary of both races provided 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 commented: “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.”
