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27
Aug 2024
GALLERY: 400 ducks race down Boroughbridge river
About 400 plastic ducks went head-to-head in a race on a Boroughbridge river this weekend.
The race, which happened on Sunday (August 25), took place under the St Helena Bridge on the River Tutt, which is a tributary of the River Ure.
It was organised by staff at the Tap on the Tutt and the Grantham Arms, as well as Boroughbridge locals.
The event is usually held on the River Ure, however, after rogue ducks had previously become tangled in bushes or floated beyond the finish line, concerns were raised about the impact of the plastic on water quality.
Simon Wade, who owns the pubs involved in the event. told the Stray Ferret there were “huge objections" to the race taking place on the Ure because of the possibility of plastic being left in the river.
He added:
We asked the landowner if we could use the Tutt instead. We did a trial run with 1,000 ducks to check the ducks wouldn't get caught in weeds or bushes, or float downstream.
It was a success, so we had just two weeks to organise the event and sell the ducks.
Mr Wade added the day was “a great bit of fun” and around 150 people came to spectate.
He told the Stray Ferret organisers were "delighted" with the the overall event, adding it will be held on the Tutt again next year.
We have already had people wanting to get involved and volunteer. We want to try make much more of a day of it.
The event raised £700 for Boroughbridge Community Care.
You can find some photos of the duck race below.
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