THE weather on Saturday, July 1 was just right for ducks. Bright yellow plastic ones, at least. It was also good for show dogs, skittlers, castle bouncers, hot doggers, cake standers, ice creamers – you get the idea?

The duck catchers enter-tained the crowds on the Bridge with their stone skimming skills, and the kayakers swirled and twirled 2,500 ducks till they were glassy-eyed. Then Fate took over.

The Rotary Club of Crickhowell sold thousands of tickets before the day, but eight of the Top Ten Ducks, including the Big Prize Winner, were sold just before those ducks hit the water. We don’t think it would be because the winners had the new skin tight outfits like on the Tour de France. With all that swirling and twirling we don’t think any particular flock would have had an advantage. We don’t think the catchers could have spotted the numbers on each duck’s rump to show any favour, and the watchers from the Bridge would have spotted fowl play. (See what I did there?) None of my family won. In fact nobody from Rotary won. I have cancelled the flights to Brazil.

The Dog Show results were pretty much as predicted – friendly dogs, happy dogs, waggy dogs all excelled, and their owners were content. Grumpy dogs did not feature in any cat-egory (see what I did there, again?).

The sun shone. Hundreds of people enjoyed the events, and we hope they went home happy. No ducks were harmed in the course of the competition, although one nearly escaped.

The winners were: Duck No. 2419 - Owner Warren Ashton; Duck 2476 – Lorraine Baker; 1634 – Dexter (c/o Lyn Webb); 2406 David Treasure; 2467 Sion James; 2479 Julie Charfield; 1641 Steve Reynolds; 449 ‘Paul’; 2389 Unclaimed; 2371 Don Williams.

Yes, we have a mystery winner at number 9 – in the rush to sell tickets on the day, SOMEBODY missed a digit on the mobile phone number written on the stub. If you have that ticket, please get in touch! I have also probably misspelt several names – but at least the money is genuine.

The Rotary Club is very grateful to all those who helped out on the day, or in buying tickets and for your generous support throughout the year.

We welcome more youthful and/or enthusiastic new members – you can spot the usual guys around 6:45 every Thursday at the Bear if you want to know more.

MIKE AXFORD