This is the 6th Annual Kedington Duck Race. Through the years the ducks have faced torrential rain, baking sun and an almost empty river. This year the weather swung from warm sun to dark clouds, rain and bitter cold wind. It was the wind that proved the main obstacle this year.Amid a large crowd of excited onlookers,the ducks were released by Neville Smith and made a quick start past the reed beds and sand banks of The Cut. Some ducks fell prey to the reeds and the shallows but were rescued by the village's regular duck rescue squad David, Josie and Chantelle. The early burst of speed ended as the ducks passed under the first bridge. The river deepens and widens as it enters Silver Street Park creating the first of the slower sections of the race. This year however the slow moving water went head to head with a chill wind bringing the ducks to a total stop just yards beyond the bridge. Experienced Duck race fans will know however that nothing stops the ducks for long and soon the duck rescue squad leapt into action pushing the field along from the rear by use of their canoe. As the river comes to its exit from the park, it begins to pick up speed again and as the ducks came into view of the crowds on Silver Street Bridge, they broke away from the canoe and began to run again under their own steam. The ducks gained speed as they headed towards the bridge with the leaders heading under the bridge via the south arch, however once under the bridge the North arch proved to contain by far the faster water with ducks on that side emerging well ahead of their rivals in the other tunnel.
The section of river along side the meadow is deep and slower but with the wind no longer a problem the ducks made a good time as spectators gathered around the end of the race. The final twenty yards are full as excitement and chances for the leader to change as ducks go into the tumbling lottery machine that is The Weir. Even the first duck out of that tumult is not guaranteed victory for the last few yards are subject to pockets of swirling current where the river suddenly widens that can remove a duck from the race altogether, lodging it in the holes in the stonework of the embankment. This year the lead duck fell prey to the shallows of the north bank knocking it back to cross the line in third.
The winner is the first to hit the wire fence erected in the river to catch the ducks. The first duck to hit the fence this year was duck number 559. Unfortunately only approximately 550 ducks were sold so the prize rolled down to the next duck to hit the line. As such first prize of £25 was one by Duck 516 Sponsored by George Oscar Clays, Second Place went to Duck 49 and David Lee, whilst Third went to Duck 155 and Michael Sergent.
The event raise over £600 for Kedington Church Restoration Fund through duck sales, food and drink sales and a donation from the ice cream van that turned up to sell ice cream to spectators. All the ducks have now been recaptured ready for next year and the river returned to its regular resident ducks.
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