Low Church Road Bridge as vistors arrive in bright sunshine after a light covering of snow overnight.

A few hardy duck race followers leave the road to track the 1000 yellow plastic ducks as they meander around the village

Spectators assemble at Church Road bridge ready for the winning ducks.

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Friday 1st January 2010

DUCKS DEFIY THE WINTER ICE

Les & Angela Mayne's visual report on the Duck Race

What a lovely crisp snow covered winters day we had for this year's famous New Year duck race. Crowds in good spirits once again gathered at the bridge on Low Church Road for the start, which this year was very near on time.

Despite the freezing temperatures leaving the roads covered in ice, the river Rase was flowing quite fast. Consequently, the ducks set off at quite a good pace, which meant that the crowds following their progress had to walk a bit faster. By the time the ducks arrived at the finish line, the bridge on Church street , a good crowd had gathered to cheer on the winners. Even though we failed to win again, it was a very enjoyable day, especially as everyone soon warmed up with wine and mince pies at the church hall afterwards.

Well done to all the winners, who this year were – Doug Orr with ‘Haggis', Warwick Cairney with ‘Sargeant Scarley' and Senta Martin with '10.5 Tog'. The race helped to raise nearly £1000 for the Middle Rasen Cricket & Football Club.

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The event organizers are pleased with the turn out with around 1000 ducks sold and most of the village and its young people plus a fair number of visitors attending to spectate the event.As the photos show, it was a bright day that benefited from a light crisp covering of snow which appeared overnight.

There were no mishaps, although Pete Dawson, who followed the Ducks releasing errant birds from the bankside weeds, was rather cold having been wading the water for over 45 minutes.

After the race it was straight to the Church Hall for light (hot) refreshments ....... mince pies, tea, coffee and mulled wine. And in the hall the remainder of the prizes were drawn.

<< For other winners and prizes see NYD 10 results>>

Thursday 1st January 2009

Colin Pitman stands with Louise and Abigail Reece from Ashford in Kent and Dan Roberts with the 1st and 3rd placed ducks.
Dan's duck "Love Doctor" won him £100 this year and "Penelope" netted £25 for her owner Abigail.

<< For other winners and prizes see NYD 09 results>>

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Rob Parry is seen here in a valiant effort to improve chances for the slower ducks but the leaders are already well under the bridge. Abigail and her mum, Louise, try to see where "Penelope" is in the throng but it must have been leading with Jenny Reeves duck "Dan" and Dan Roberts duck "Love Doctor" by then.

The event organizers are pleased with the turn out, it was a pretty cool and over caste day but numbers were high and the start of the race was delayed to allow an extra 100 ducks to be entered for the benefit of those who had not been able to buy their duck before the event.

After the race refreshments of mince pies, tea, coffee and mulled wine were provided by committee members in the Church Hall, thank you. In the hall the remainder of the prizes were drawn. Pictured left are Thirzah and Elaine Jennings walking home after the draw, Elaine is showing her gift won by "China Duck"

Saturday 12th July 2008

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The Middle Rasen Summer “Duck Race”, held to raise funds for the village Cricket and Football Teams had the benefit of some fine “seasonal” weather for their evening event on Saturday 12 th July 2008.

The first race of the meeting “Power Clean Stakes”, was away smartly at 5.30pm. A total of 26 (win only) bets were placed on the 6 competing ducks. The race was fairly fought with the course marshal, Furz Lloyd, offering a splash by splash commentary on the sound system. As in all races, Pete Dawson was at the rear to ensure even the less reliable decoys got in safely.

The winner of the first race was number 3 “Spotless” owned by Julia Salmon. See Results of the other 7 races

A total of 350 “win” bets were placed during the event and there were a total of 54 successful punters sharing the winnings.

The event organisers are pleased to say that the evening was a success and it raised £304.20 for the local teams. The members of the Middle Rasen Cricket and Association Football Club thank Sponsors and organisers for putting on an entertaining sporting family evening with refreshments for the village and visitors alike.

Monday 1st January 2007 NYD 2007

This year the race was in perfect weather and under a blue sky with the river running well a 1000 ducks were released at Parrys Bridge at 12 noon. Groups of spectators and duck owners followed the race along the banks of the Rase to the next bridge at Naylors Drive. As the yellow plastic hoard appeared near the finishing line they were seeen to be pushing some 20 wild ducks forward toward the marshalls waiting to net the numbered mass. Avian panic ensued and the mullards being trapped between the two unknowns took to the air in frenzied flight as the first 3 ducks, 291 "Colin's Day ", 824 "Via Duck" and 710 "Mother" crossed the line. Very dramatic and difficult to stage, so much so that most of us missied Colin Pitman, the race organiser who had over stretched, tumbling into the river. A good photo if any one got it!

Full Results >>>>>

Photos

1.Checking off the Ducks

2. They are away

3. Following the race

4. Wild ducks trapped

5 Final results

6. Rick and Allison are awarded their prises by at very wet Colin Pitman.

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The Middle Rasen Cricket and Association Football Club hold a duck race twice a year. The New Year's Day event, being a high spot in the Winter social calendar for the village and team supporters. Sponsoring a duck (yellow plastic and launched onto the river Rase) costs the owner just £1. With around a £100 as the first prize and sundry other prizes for the runners up and of course one for the last ducks. Its a fun event with a chance of winning something.

Monday 1st January 2007

Saturday July 1st 2006

This Summer's Duck Race was on Saturday 1st July with the first race at 6pm. Entry was free and all were welcome at the Middle Rasen playing fields. A choice of freshly prepared refreshments were available , all modestly priced. The weather was excellent and went some way toward comforting those who lost (and England demise in the world cup as the first race started too!). Pic-nicking families watched events unfold as complex bets were placed on what were most unpredictable ducks.

2006 New Years Day, groups assemble before the start in Low Church Road

There was a mad rush for ducks ate the road side, with Colin Pitman selling an additional 85 over the 1000 sold prior to the event, see picture top left.

With the weeks snow still melting off the Wolds, the Rase was too fast, deep, cold and traitorous to allow the safe recovery of the ducks named and taking part. However, the adjacent Brimmer Beck, being only a 100 yards further down Low Church Road, was quickly established as the race venue. The Beck Bridge in Low Church Road was the ideal meeting place and view point for a launch on the Rase's tributary.

Pictures left -

The group watch the preparation and release up stream, 1000 ducks

The finish was then set twenty minutes down steam before Brimmer Beck reached the swollen Rase. The whole race was able to be followed on foot by the many locals and visitors who came to witness the event.

Watched closely as they pass under the bridge at Low Church Road.

This year New Year's Day was a Sunday, so after Sunday service, Linda Patrick with her husband, the reverend Charles Patrick and family were surprised to see "Peking Duck", their duck number 800, going under the bridge toward the finish leading 556 and 265. Charles, the vicar of St's Peter & Paul Church came down in time to watch one family investment maintain its position and the three ducks stay just clear of the field. Needless to say with divine guidance the positions held.

Below, at Middle Rasen Church Hall other prizes are drawn

Bottom Left - The 3 leading ducks approach those waiting at the finish.

2005 GONE QUACKERS ~

Ducks on the River Rase thought they had gone quackers when a fleet of yellow plastic ducks invaded their space. The New Year revelry in Middle Rasen involved 970 plastic ducks being released in a money spinning exercise. Previously it had been cancelled - because there was too much water in the river.

Helen Pitman said that £775 had been raised for the Middle Rasen Football and Cricket Club from the sale of 970 ducks at £1 a piece. The £100 winner was K Stead's duck, S Harley gets £75 for coming in second and a duck bought by the barber family was third for £50. There were 27 other prizes and thanks to an anonymous donor three prizes of £10 were given to the last three ducks. Mrs Pitman said the committee thanked sponsors the Nags Head, Nigel Appleyard, Joe Lawson, Rasen Appliance Services and Park View Motors and all supporters.

In addition £165 was raised for the tsunami disaster appeal through the sale of mince pies, mulled wine and cookies baked by Tom Pitman - plus a donation from the football and cricket club.

2005 event report kindly provided by Jason Hippisley, Market Rasen Mail