Town and gown have a splashing time at duck race

Local residents, students, staff and children came together for the first ever University of Buckingham duck race open to the community on Wednesday 20 August.

There was a great turnout as Mums took the opportunity to do something fun with the kids towards the end of a long summer holiday.

University of Buckingham Pro Vice-Chancellor Julian Lovelock donned waders to set the yellow plastic ducks on their way and rescue a large proportion of rogue swimmers heading in the wrong direction due to the wind.

The crowd was entertained with excerpts from the forthcoming University of Buckingham Musical Society production, which is at The Roxborough, Stowe House, from Thursday August 28 to Saturday 30 August 30, with a matinee on the Saturday at 14:30.

As well as a barbecue and sausage roll-tasting by Wiltshire Based Apetito There were stalls from Buckingham Business Enterprise students, who have set up their own companies, including, Mojito cocktails made from Takamaka Bay rum from The Seychelles, sold by student company Collective Spirit and Brightwood Buckingham bamboo wooden sunglasses. There were also second hand books, cakes, jewellery and face painting.

Organiser Jane Russell said: “There was a wonderful atmosphere as families sat on rugs among the students and staff and sang along to their Grease favourites. It was great to see the lovely university campus packed with local people, as well as students, all having fun. We’ll definitely be opening it up to Buckingham residents next year.”

The duck race was won by student Edward Lopez-Cattell, who received a £25 Amazon voucher. Best-dressed duck went to A Cross, who won a meal for two at Nelson Street Restaurant and the child’s best-dressed duck went to Simon and Samuel Dubois who won a family ticket to Woburn Safari Park.

The event raised around £350 which will be split between University of Buckingham Supporting Overseas Schooling (UBSOS) and Buckingham Hospital.