duck race video 2024

A DUCK race has taken place for the first time in 10 years.

The appearance of the Assendon Spring prompted villagers to organise the event, led by landscaper Richard Barrow.

The race started at the Rainbow Inn in Middle Assendon and finished at the Golden Ball in Lower Assendon.

Helpers used fishing nets and sticks to keep the coloured rubber ducks on course through the running water, a practice dubbed “duck nurdling” by Brian Rosier, from Middle Assendon.

Before the race, each duck was assigned a number and participants were matched up with a number.

John Paul Maillard, 52, from Middle Assendon, won the adults’ race and Izzy Starling, 13, also from Middle Assendon, won the children’s race.

The event raised £740 for Cancer Research and Sue Ryder from donations. Prizes were donated by local businesses.

Mr Barrow, 54, from Middle Assendon, said: “What an amazing evening — huge fun and a tidy sum raised for charity. What a shame the stream only flows once a decade. Thank you to Jean and Curly Chandler, of the Rainbow, for opening early, the Golden Ball for donating a dining experience, Don, Stephen and Giles for helping me clear the stream, Brian and the duck nurdlers for keeping the race going and all the generous donations for two causes close to many of our hearts.”

Tanya Fane, 58, from Middle Assendon, who helped organise the race, said: “The last time there was a duck race was 10 years ago so we all thought it would be lovely to have another one.

“We only had four days to plan and organise it but the response was incredible. There was terrific community spirit and much merriment between the pubs.

“All the villagers gathered at the Rainbow before we started. We all had several drinks before the race and were walking down the road to the Golden Ball with glasses of wine in our hands.

“The children threw their own ducks in at the Rainbow then we were off to the next pub. The adults’ ducks were all thrown in by Richard.

“It was a fantastic evening with a great atmosphere. One of the best things was seeing people, young and old, joining in and everyone getting excited about the ducks.

“Villagers are still on the lookout for those little ducklings missing in action and I am keeping a tally. There will be a prize for the last one found.”