VIDEO: Inaugural town duck race off to a flying start
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Rotary Club’s first ever Shakespeare Charity Duck Race got off to a flying start recently, with a medley of song and dance performed by a group of ducklings from the Mezzo Dance Company and Lynell Adams, a visitor from Vancouver, who made their way through the town, pied piper style to the banks of the River Avon.
Lynell, who travelled after hearing about the duck race, composed her own duck song, was dressed in a bright yellow duck costume, attracting and entertaining locals and selling last minute tickets, the sales of which will go to the Shakespeare Hospice’s Children and Young People’s Services.
The Mayor of Stratford Cllr Juliet Short, started the race on the August Bank Holiday weekend, and 1,000 ducks were tipped into Lucy’s Mill Weir from launches provided by Stratford Boat Club.
Bill, Stratford Rotary’s Duck Race Mascot, soon found his way to the front of the flock, and he led the flotilla of ducks all the way to the finish line, crossing it first.
Hot on the heels of Bill were the corporate ducks and Stratford Alehouse’s Postman Duck was declared the winning corporate duck.
The Alehouse will be the proud winner of a duck trophy and a meal for four, donated by Marco’s New York Italian Stratford.