Let's get quacking - Ludlow Duck Race to return

Last year, the event raised more than £2,500 for good causes, and it will be back on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.

Organisers say this year they plan it will be ‘bigger and better’ with some 2,500 bright yellow plastic ducks being launched from Dinham Weir to race under the bridge and down the River Teme. 

The event is being arranged to raise funds for Ludlow Rotary Cares, the club’s community grants scheme, and other Rotary causes.

There will be five ‘duck races’ beginning at 11am with everyone who sponsors a duck for £2 having the chance of winning £100 if it is the first across the winning line.

The organisers said that planning a duck race is 'no mean feat' as the ducks have to be corralled into pens of 500 then decanted into boxes of 100.

Each box of 100 ducks is then put into numbered bags, checked and double checked to make sure each ticket sold is allocated to a duck.

When all the ducks are sorted, they are stored in bags ready for the big day. 

Ray Cork of Ludlow Rotary said: "Even more challenging will be launching the ducks from the weir at the start and then ensuring that all the ducks are collected and none escape at the end of each race.

"During this process we expect there to be a lot of laughing and counting and, if last year is anything to go by, some cheering in the hope that some of us involved may even get a little wet."

Ducks will be available to sponsor on the day, but queues may be avoided by sponsoring them in advance online at www.ludlowrotaryclub.org.uk or by using the QR code on the posters displayed around the town.