A CLASH with the World Cup and a lower river because of the hot weather meant organisers were worried about the turnout for their annual duck race in Crickhowell last weekend.

In the end they needn’t have worried as there was a good crowd for the event, with many people choosing to take in the duck race before catching the latter stages of the England v Sweden quarter-final clash in Russia on their television sets at home.

The annual Crickhowell Rotary Duck Race, which took place on Saturday, July 7, was opened by Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies, and the Rotary Club president Ralph Thomas.

Because of the weather the duck race took place on a very low and becalmed River Usk with the ducks helped on their way by Gareth Axford and his crew and Jason Stone and the Abergavenny Canoe Club. The ducks took longer, than usual, to reach the finish line but this only seemed to add to the suspense!

There were a total of 20 commercial and charity stall-holders and Rotary stalls at the event and the day was a great success, raising well over £3,000 for the Rotary Club to distribute to local and international worthy causes.

A spokesman said the Rotary Club wanted to thank all those who gave “tremendous support to the event on the day and during the preceding two months”. The winning ducks were mostly higher numbers.

Alun Tandy, master of ceremonies, thanked the Rotarians and their wives for their “sterling efforts”.