Friday 28 August 2009

Duck race turning River Lliedi yellow

LLANELLI’S River Lliedi will be become a yellow River on Sunday with the town first ever massed rubber duck race.

Llanelli Sea Cadets who have organised the event have been working flat out this week getting more than 3,000 yellow ducks, collected numbered and water proofed.

The duck race has been gathering momentum through the summer inspired by the Sea Cadets to raise money for a launch boat the needed at Burry Port harbour.

But demand for the £2 ducks has far outweighed expectation and the Sea Cadets have allowed other charity groups to cash in on the quacking event.

Llanelli cheerleaders have also sold hundred of ducks for their funds and corporate ducks sponsored by firms at £25 a quack have been floated out too. There are cash and novelty prizes including a duck cake.

Carmarthenshire County Council who are supporting the event have a Corporate Duck entered and will be joining in the carnival atmosphere being generated on Llanerch Fields.

The races are centres on Llanelli’s Llanerch Fields. First Race is that of the Llanelli Cheerleaders at 10.30am. The Corporate Duck Race is at 12noon and the main Sea Cadet Race at 3pm. The finish line is the bridge opposite Bryndulais Avenue.

There are more than 30 side stalls and the Sea Cadets will perform a marching parade and the cheer leaders will be giving displays too.

There are plans to make the duck race an event and embroider it into the Carmarthenshire Calendar of Events.
Organiser Paul Jenkins said: “By encouraging other charities to become involved to help boost their finances we can probably increase the entry of racing ducks.

“We have some way to go to get more ducks entered to break the British record because the Hampton Court Great British Rubber Duck derby last year attracted 250,000, involving more than 400 charities, with entries verified by the Guinness Book of Records.

“We have a lot of ideas for future with lessons learned from this our first event for next year’s race.
“But our priority has to be to enjoy this our first race and make sure we net all the ducks at the finish line and prevent any escaping to the sea.”

County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “All praise to the Sea cadets for all the hard work their have pit in for this inspiring event.

“And what a great way for Llanelli to round off the summer holidays. They have the duck race on Bank Holiday Sunday and the county’s biggest carnival at Seaside on Monday.”

Photograph: Llanelli Sea Cadet Cameron Bryant is calling for everyone to climb aboard their duck race on Sunday at Llanerch Fields, Llanelli. Pic: Jeff Connell



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