Plea to prevent village's duck race from sinking

The tradition of the rubber duck race in Wilberfoss began 40 years ago

A tradition in an East Yorkshire village is under threat due to a lack of younger people wanting to take over the reins of the event.

The duck race in Wilberfoss is the village's largest fundraiser, with profits going back into local businesses and charities.

People have until 1 November to show an interest in taking over the organisation of the duck race, or it could come to an end.

"The current committee have to pass the baton on now," said chairperson Carol Travers.

Carol Travers has been helping to run the duck race in recent years

Ms Travers said she was looking for younger people to take the race over and carry it on into the future "for the village's sake".

"People make it a family event. I get four generations of my own family every year. They love it," she said.

The race was postponed in May due to East Riding of Yorkshire Council carrying out flood defence work on the beck, and it was rescheduled for September. But that event also could take place, because the water was not high enough.

If the duck race came to an end, it would not be the first event to disappear from the village, which is about eight miles from York.

"The scarecrow festival was fantastic but nobody could take it over, so it died," said Ms Travers.

Norma Randall bakes the cakes for the annual duck race and other community events

'Dying out'

Norma Randall, 86, who volunteers at village events and with community groups such as Wilberfoss in Bloom, said volunteering "brings its own rewards as you get to know so many people".

"It would seem such a shame about the duck race - another village tradition going away [and] dying out," said Ms Randall, who has fond memories of the time when she won the race.

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