The town went quackers yesterday for the annual Calne Lions Duck Race 2024.
Crowds lined the River Marden in town on Saturday, 11th May to watch the Ducklings Race, Business Duck Race and finally the main attraction - the Little Yellow Duck Race.
Alongside the river races, there was a craft fair inside the Town Hall and stalls and fun to be had at the Wharf Gardens, with Eartunes Radio providing the soundtrack to the day.
Calne Town Mayor, Cllr Robert MacNaughton judged the best dressed ducks, selecting The Rise Trust as the winner of the 'Best Dressed Duckling' and runners-up were Wiltshire School of Gymnastics.
Best Dressed Duck winner was Family Wise Ltd and runner-up Kawaii Pockets.
Cherhill CofE Primary School came first in the Ducklings Race with Heddington Primary School and The Rise Trust coming 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance won the Business Duck Race with 2nd place winners Riverview Portfolio Ltd and 3rd My Dentist.
The Little Yellow Duck Race winning ticket numbers were Ticket 658 winning £250, Ticket 131 winning £150 and Ticket 126 winning £75.
Lion, Neil told us: "It has been a fabulous day and was great to see so many local people out to support the event.
"They say it takes a village, well Duck Race takes a town - we couldn't run the event as it is without, not only, our Lions volunteers, but also friends of club members who were happy to put on waders and get into the river or man a stall.
"Duck Race would also not be the same without the support of the town, who ran stalls, entered a duck, bought a ticket or just came out to watch on the day. The atmosphere was amazing, so thank you to everyone that supported us in any capacity."
Calne Lions are yet to have a full tally of the day but believe the grand total raised will be in the region of £14,000 - all profits will go back into the local community, supporting schools, community groups and organisations.
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