Maidenhead Duck Derby to return for 36th year
Thousands of plastic ducks will float along the River Thames on Sunday afternoon as part of an annual charity event.The Duck Derby has been run by the Maidenhead Lions at Ray Mill Island at Boulter's Lock for more than 30 years.The Family Fun Day, which also features a range of stalls, food vans, and activities, begins at 12:00 BST, with the duck race taking place at 16:30.President of Maidenhead Lions Jo Manisier said it was one of the group's biggest events.
The first Duck Derby was held in 1988."Henley Lions had some yellow ducks and they had a duck race, so guess what? We borrowed them," said Ms Manisier .It was "such a success" that they bought their own, and now they own 3,000 of them.The Duck Derby was postponed one year because of Covid, but apart from that there was only one other year it did not run - 1998, when the river levels were too high.Ms Manisier said they nearly had a repeat of that for their 35th race last year."We thought we might not be able to actually run the duck race because [the flow] was too fast," she said.But she said the Sea Cadets, who are responsible for pouring the ducks into the river, brought another power boat and made do."We had a race thanks to them," she said.
Whilst entry is free, people can buy a duck ticket, which has the number of their duck on it, ahead of the race."Then [the Sea Cadets] empty all the ducks into the water by the weir and... they make their way up to the Maidenhead footpath bridge by Boulters Lock," said Ms Manisier."Usually there's lots of people cheering the ducks along the way."There are cash prizes for first, second and third place - and Maidenhead Lions "make sure we catch all the ducks" at the end, Ms Manisier added.
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Eastwood third at Le Mans 24 Hours with Corvette
Northern Ireland's Charlie Eastwood has claimed a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race by finishing third in the LMGT3 who won the famous race in 2020, was third in his TF Sport run Corvette with team-mates Rui Andrade and Tom van number #81 crew finished the 24-hour race 71 seconds off the race-winning LMGT3 #92 Manthey Racing Porsche 911 of Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Riccardo Mann, Francois Heriau and Alessio Rovera were second in the #21 AF Course Andrade and van Rompuy started in sixth place and ran on the fringes of the top 10 in the first half of the as night fell over the Circuit de la Sarthe, the team moved into podium contention as Eastwood put in a consolidated third place in the morning, and Eastwood took the chequered flag in the Corvette after holding off a late challenge from Heart of Racing's Mattia is a third Le Mans podium for Eastwood, who described it as his "dream" race, after his victory in 2020 and a second-place finish two years #83 Ferrari Hypercar of Robert Kubica, Phil Hanson and Yeifei Ye claimed overall victory, ahead of the #6 Porsche of Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor, while the Ferrari of James Colado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi was third.
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sheffield football game held to honour Harvey Willgoose
A football match has been held in honour of teenager Harvey Willgoose, who died after being stabbed at school in 200 people attended the game at Beighton Miners Welfare Club in Sheffield, which raised money for Harvey's Hub - a youth club that has been set up in his Knives United ran out 2-1 winners over Goose FC, with the latter team captained by Harvey's sister, Sophie, who organised the Willgoose said the match had given her something to focus on. She said: "Harvey was always nagging me to get back into football, to play for Goose FC, his team, and as soon as we lost him and we were thinking of ways to raise awareness and money, I thought this was the perfect opportunity."I know he will be with us today, watching, and we will have done him proud." Harvey died on February 3 when he was stabbed twice in the chest at All Saints Catholic High School.A 15-year-old boy admitted manslaughter but denied murder at Sheffield Crown Court in April and is being held in youth detention custody until a murder trial, which is set for 30 mother, Caroline Willgoose, said it was special to hold the event on Father's Day."It means the world to us, especially being on Father's Day as well, for Mark [Harvey's dad], and his sister."It's a team that Sophie used to play for and her grandad was manager of the team when she was a little girl."So many friends and relatives and people who don't even know us have come down. I'm just chuffed to bits." Mrs Willgoose said the event was also about raising awareness of knife added: "We need to get out there the devastation that knife crime brings – what it's brought to the community, to his friends, to us, to the staff at the school, to the kids at the school."Rachel Crowder, who played for Goose FC, said it had been a great atmosphere."The girls have all clubbed together. It's been a brilliant opportunity to support Sophie and the family," she said."The girls put a shift in on a really hot day, some of whom have never played 11-a-side. It's been a privilege to take part." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
Supermum qualifier Tatjana Maria stuns Queen's as 160/1 qualifier becomes oldest WTA title winner since Serena Williams
SUPERMUM Tatjana Maria was tipped to win Wimbledon after becoming the first Queen of Queen's since 1973. The German qualifier, 37, sensationally won the female singles title – which returned after a 52-year absence – by beating American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-4 at the Baron's Court club. 4 In front of packed crowds, Anisimova, 23, said: 'Tatjana, what an incredible week. So special. Congrats to you and your beautiful family. 'I wouldn't be surprised if I see you in the Wimbledon final as you really had me running out there.' Maria is the oldest player to claim a WTA title since Serena Williams, then 38, was successful in Auckland in 2020. The slice specialist went into this week's event a distant 160/1 for the title having come through qualifying. Maria – who has two young daughters – made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022 and she said: 'I enjoyed every second here. A pleasure to play here. 'It's Father's Day and my husband is really, really special. An amazing husband and coach. To our beautiful girls, I love you both. 'When we arrived, my little daughter said: 'Wow, that's a nice trophy, so big.' 'I said: 'Let's go for the trophy.' We will celebrate. Whatever it is, I guess they'll want to eat some nutella.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 4 Maria had a tough run to the final, beating former Grand Slam finalists or champions Leylah Fernandez, Karolina Muchova, Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys. The eventual champion had found herself on the brink in round two, trailing Muchova 7-6 5-4 30-0 before battling back.
