Ducks away! Flood-hit annual event to bounce back in Knaresborough

Flooding or no flooding, it looks like the Knaresborough Duck Race will definitely happen this year afterall.
Flashback to 2013 and the ducks are released into the River Nidd for the start of the Knaresborough Duck Race.Flashback to 2013 and the ducks are released into the River Nidd for the start of the Knaresborough Duck Race.
Flashback to 2013 and the ducks are released into the River Nidd for the start of the Knaresborough Duck Race.

The terrible results of Storm Eva and Storm Frank may have led to the cancellation on New Year’s Day of this famous aquatic fixture in the town’s annual calendar but organisers are determined it will take place, come hell or high water.

Organised each year by Knaresborough Cricket Club, this year’s is a particularly important one - it’s meant to be the culmination of the club’s bicentennial celebrations.

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But the wait looks set to be over for the 4,000 little yellow plastic ducks who help raise funds each year and attract large crowds to the riverside.

The Duck Race is now scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 28 at 1.30pm.

One of Knaresborough Cricket Club’s biggest stalwarts, Mike Baxandall, a legendary player himself, said: “We hope the race will raise more money than ever before for Henshaws Society for Blind People and, also, for Knaresborough Cricket Club. We’ve had record sales of corporate and ordinary tickets for ducks. These tickets will also be available to buy on the day.”

As always, whichever plastic duck crosses the line first will bring its ticketholder a cash prize of £100.

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