105M go QUACKERS part 2 Kidderminster

Here is the Kidderminster Shuttle report of Kidderminster and District Lions annual New Years Day event with a difference.

“ THOUSANDS of people gathered on Bewdley riverside to watch the annual New Year’s Day duck race.

A record 591 ducks were entered in the River Severn challenge, many home-made from household materials.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people attended the event, organised by Kidderminster and District Lions Club, raising more than £1,000 for youth organisations in Wyre Forest.

Ruth Leavesley, a 22-year-old student from Bewdley studying music at Cardiff University, won the prize for best dressed duck. (Pictured)

Miss Leavesley has been attending the race since she was three years old.

The fastest duck prize was won by Liz Obee, with youngsters Molly and Sam Hiskins finishing in second place.

Lions president Colin Hill said: “It’s a wonderful New Year’s Day event. The English are known for their eccentricity and this displays that perfectly.

“There were some very unusual designs of ducks, including ones dressed as aeroplanes and Spiderman. The standard of entries was great, it was very high.”

The Lions encouraged people to enter homemade ducks and Mr Hill said there were “many more than usual” this year, made of materials such as plastic bottles and cardboard tubing.

He added people travelled from Stourbridge, Wolverhampton and Quinton to take part in the race.

Wyre Forest Canoe Club monitored the event and retrieved the ducks to prevent any pollution of the river. The Severn Area Rescue Association was responsible for ensuring safety during the event.”

Editors note

To complete a busy day the Club organized an evening Concert, of Viennese Music at Kidderminster Town Hall in aid of the County Air Ambulance

No rest for the wicked!