Quackers families enjoy record-breaking Kingsclere duck race

There was a record number of rubber ducks participating in this year’s duck race in Kingsclere as dozens of quackers families came out to take part.

A total of 487 yellow rubber ducks were bought and then thrown into the stream at the beginning of the race at Pope’s Hill.

Children then lined the stream, following their ducks and cheering them on as they made the journey to the finishing line north of the A339.

There were cash prizes for first, second and third place, as well as a booby prize of a duck keyring for the final finisher.

The event, which has been running since 2012, is organised by the Kingsclere Twinning Association, which promotes friendship and close links with Cormicy – the most northern village in the Champagne region of France – which Kingsclere officially twinned with in 2011.

Sarah Davis, who sits on the association’s committee, said: “We sold the most ducks ever.

“We’ve never sold out of ducks before and families came out in their droves.

“Children were very excited about whether their duck was winning or not.

“One woman said thanks so much for organising it.

“It’s always been popular but never this popular.”

This year’s event raised just over £340 for the association, and Ms Davis said they were hoping to welcome over a group from Cormicy in 2023.

The event will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of two villages’ twinning, after it was postponed for the last two years due to Covid.