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Annual 1st Forres Scouts duck race raises more than £1300 for group funds


By Garry McCartney

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Cub leader Donalda Haytack, deputy Group Scout leader Dave Haytack and volunteer John Davies preparing to release the ducks.
Cub leader Donalda Haytack, deputy Group Scout leader Dave Haytack and volunteer John Davies preparing to release the ducks.

NUMBER 907 was the first to cross the finishing line at the Mosset Burn duck race on Friday evening.

The annual event organised by 1st Forres Scouts - to raise funds for equipment and hall maintenance - featured 1344 competitors watched by a few hundred spectators from the Brig to Bridge Street.

A large crowd cheering them on.
A large crowd cheering them on.

Scout secretary Louise Berry confirmed the attendees and beautiful weather made for a cheery atmosphere.

She said: "There were lots of folk who possibly hadn't seen a duck race before. The children were very excited and there were lots of encouraging cheers for the ducks!"

Prior to the race, Scouts cleared the burn of debris and litter.

Louise said: "We pulled out a lot of stray branches along with bottles, cans, plastic bags and a traffic cone!"

Some of the 1344 competitors.
Some of the 1344 competitors.

The ducks were released at 8pm - the last but not least racer crossed the finishing line at half past.

"The first was quick off the mark," said Louise, "but we had to wait for the last one to cross the line for the booby prize!"

Waiting to catch the ducks at the finish line.
Waiting to catch the ducks at the finish line.

The results were: 1st no 907, Kerrie Stephen, £100; 2nd no 556, Steven Dingwall, £50; 3rd no 911, Craig Burgess, £25; 4th no 1007, Amelia McPherson, £10; 5th no 14, Sheila Johnson, £10; and last duck home no 691, Pauline Ferrier, £5.

1st Forres Scouts sold the ducks for £1 each to friends and family, and at their Toun Mercat stall.

Prior to the race, new scout members Tom Rhind and Lemmy Ripley-Winkler, both aged 10, were invested into the Troop.

Louise finished: "As always, we are very grateful for the support given to the Scout Group by the people of Forres."



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