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A staple in the Whitworth calendar, the Annual New Year’s Day Duck Race returns in 2016.
Taking place as usual at Cowm Reservoir at 1pm on New Year’s Day, the event is expected to be as popular as ever – in 2015, the event saw over 950 ducks sponsored, with around 250 people attending on the day. The Duck Race is organised jointly between Whitworth Town Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee and CLAW (the Community Leisure Association of Whitworth).
For those unfamiliar with the concept, you ‘sponsor’ a numbered yellow rubber duck for £1.00, which is then entered into the Duck Race. The first one across the line wins, with cash prizes for first, second and third place ducks of £75, £50 and £25. There’s also a tenner for the last duck across the line. After the Duck Race the Cock & Magpie pub on the corner of Tong End and Cockhall Lane will be open for soup, sandwiches and chips.
Councillor David Chorlton, chair of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, says: “For those who have not been to the Whitworth Duck Race in the past, the sight of hundreds of yellow rubber ducks heading swiftly downstream really is a sight to behold! This has always been a popular event in the Whitworth calendar and, judging by the sale of the ducks so far, 2016 will prove to be no different.”
The Duck Race on Friday 1 January 2016 kicks off at Cowm Reservoir at 1.00pm. You can sponsor a duck now – sponsor sheets are available at the Whitworth Council Office, Riverside (Civic Hall), Post Office, Jan's Butty Shop, Whitworth Leisure Centre and UBS, and from Whitworth Town Councillors. You can also sponsor a duck on the day.
For more details, contact Melanie Hearn, Town Clerk at Whitworth Town Council, on 01706 852018 / email: info@whitworth.gov.uk, or visit www.whitworth.gov.uk.
