Ashton Keynes duck race pulls in the crowds (From This Is Wiltshire)

Ashton Keynes duck race pulls in the crowds

4:00pm Sunday 28th December 2008 in

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MORE than 1,000 people flocked to the banks of the Thames in Ashton Keynes to take part in the village’s traditional Boxing Day Duck Race.

Five hundred plastic ducks were launched into the river, and headed half a mile down stream, followed by villagers hoping to have the fastest bird.

The event is organised each year by the Ashton Keynes Youth Football Club to raise money for the village’s youngsters Club secretary Rob Pengilley said this year saw the biggest turnout yet.

He said: “The duck race has very much become part of tradition is Ashton Keynes but attracts people from outside the area as well. This year we had visitors from Swindon and Malmesbury as well as the usual village crowd who visit every year.”

Each of the 500 ducks is sold four times over using different coloured tickets so everyone has a chance to back a duck.

This year the event raised £2,300 for the village football club and playgroup.

“The event is one for all ages and we had lots of families here,” said Rob.

“We completely sold out of mulled wine and raised plenty of funds for the village’s youth.”